Integrated circuit including cross-coupled transistors having gate electrodes formed within gate level feature layout channels

ABSTRACT

Each of first and second PMOS transistors, and first and second NMOS transistors has a respective diffusion terminal with a direct electrical connection to a common node, and has a respective gate electrode defined within any one gate level channel. Each gate level channel is uniquely associated with and defined along one of a number of parallel oriented gate electrode tracks. The first PMOS transistor gate electrode is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor electrode. The second PMOS transistor gate electrode is electrically connected to the first NMOS transistor gate electrode. The first and second PMOS transistors, and the first and second NMOS transistors together define a cross-coupled transistor configuration having commonly oriented gate electrodes formed from respective rectangular-shaped layout features.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. 120 of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 12/402,465, filed Mar. 11, 2009, and entitled “Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts in Restricted Gate Level Layout Architecture,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/036,460, filed Mar. 13, 2008, entitled “Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts Using Linear Gate Level Features,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/042,709, filed Apr. 4, 2008, entitled “Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts Using Linear Gate Level Features,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/045,953, filed Apr. 17, 2008, entitled “Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts Using Linear Gate Level Features,” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/050,136, filed May 2, 2008, entitled “Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts Using Linear Gate Level Features.” The disclosure of each above-identified patent application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to each application identified in the table below. The disclosure of each application identified in the table below is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Attorney Filing Docket No. Application No. Date TELAP015AC1  12/753,711 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC2  12/753,727 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC3  12/753,733 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC4  12/753,740 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC5  12/753,753 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC6  12/753,758 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC7  12/753,766 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC8  12/753,776 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC9  12/753,789 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC10 12/753,793 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC11 12/753,795 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC12 12/753,798 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC13 12/753,805 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC14 12/753,810 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC15 12/753,817 Apr. 2, 2010 TELAP015AC17 12/754,061 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC18 12/754,078 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC19 12/754,091 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC20 12/754,103 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC21 12/754,114 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC22 12/754,129 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC23 12/754,147 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC24 12/754,168 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC25 12/754,215 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC26 12/754,233 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC27 12/754,351 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC28 12/754,384 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC29 12/754,563 Apr. 5, 2010 TELAP015AC30 12/754,566 Apr. 5, 2010

BACKGROUND

A push for higher performance and smaller die size drives the semiconductor industry to reduce circuit chip area by approximately 50% every two years. The chip area reduction provides an economic benefit for migrating to newer technologies. The 50% chip area reduction is achieved by reducing the feature sizes between 25% and 30%. The reduction in feature size is enabled by improvements in manufacturing equipment and materials. For example, improvement in the lithographic process has enabled smaller feature sizes to be achieved, while improvement in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has in-part enabled a higher number of interconnect layers.

In the evolution of lithography, as the minimum feature size approached the wavelength of the light source used to expose the feature shapes, unintended interactions occurred between neighboring features. Today minimum feature sizes are approaching 45 nm (nanometers), while the wavelength of the light source used in the photolithography process remains at 193 nm. The difference between the minimum feature size and the wavelength of light used in the photolithography process is defined as the lithographic gap. As the lithographic gap grows, the resolution capability of the lithographic process decreases.

An interference pattern occurs as each shape on the mask interacts with the light. The interference patterns from neighboring shapes can create constructive or destructive interference. In the case of constructive interference, unwanted shapes may be inadvertently created. In the case of destructive interference, desired shapes may be inadvertently removed. In either case, a particular shape is printed in a different manner than intended, possibly causing a device failure. Correction methodologies, such as optical proximity correction (OPC), attempt to predict the impact from neighboring shapes and modify the mask such that the printed shape is fabricated as desired. The quality of the light interaction prediction is declining as process geometries shrink and as the light interactions become more complex.

In view of the foregoing, a solution is needed for managing lithographic gap issues as technology continues to progress toward smaller semiconductor device features sizes.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a portion of the substrate formed to include a plurality of diffusion regions. The plurality of diffusion regions respectively correspond to active areas of the portion of the substrate within which one or more processes are applied to modify one or more electrical characteristics of the active areas of the portion of the substrate. The plurality of diffusion regions include a first p-type diffusion region, a second p-type diffusion region, a first n-type diffusion region, and a second n-type diffusion region. The first p-type diffusion region includes a first p-type active area formed to have a direct electrical connection to a common node. The second p-type diffusion region includes a second p-type active area formed to have a direct electrical connection to the common node. The first n-type diffusion region includes a first n-type active area formed to have a direct electrical connection to the common node. The second n-type diffusion region includes a second n-type active area formed to have a direct electrical connection to the common node.

The semiconductor device also includes a gate electrode level region formed above the portion of the substrate. The gate electrode level region includes a number of conductive gate level features. Each conductive gate level feature is defined within any one gate level channel. Each gate level channel is uniquely associated with one of a number of gate electrode tracks. Each of the number of gate electrode tracks extends across the gate electrode level region in a first parallel direction. Any given gate level channel corresponds to an area within the gate electrode level region that extends along the gate electrode track to which the given gate level channel is uniquely associated, and that extends perpendicularly outward in each opposing direction from the gate electrode track to which the given gate level channel is uniquely associated to a closest of either a neighboring gate electrode track or a virtual gate electrode track outside a layout boundary.

The number of conductive gate level features include conductive portions that respectively form a first PMOS transistor device gate electrode, a second PMOS transistor device gate electrode, a first NMOS transistor device gate electrode, and a second NMOS transistor device gate electrode. The first PMOS transistor device gate electrode is formed to extend along an associated gate electrode track and over the first p-type diffusion region to electrically interface with the first p-type active area and thereby form a first PMOS transistor device. The second PMOS transistor device gate electrode is formed to extend along an associated gate electrode track and over the second p-type diffusion region to electrically interface with the second p-type active area and thereby form a second PMOS transistor device. The first NMOS transistor device gate electrode is formed to extend along an associated gate electrode track and over the first n-type diffusion region to electrically interface with the first n-type active area and thereby form a first NMOS transistor device. The second NMOS transistor device gate electrode is formed to extend along an associated gate electrode track and over the second n-type diffusion region to electrically interface with the second n-type active area and thereby form a second NMOS transistor device.

The first PMOS transistor device gate electrode is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor device gate electrode. The second PMOS transistor device gate electrode is electrically connected to the first NMOS transistor device gate electrode. The first PMOS transistor device, the second PMOS transistor device, the first NMOS transistor device, and the second NMOS transistor device define a cross-coupled transistor configuration having commonly oriented gate electrodes.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an SRAM bit cell circuit, in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 1B shows the SRAM bit cell of FIG. 1A with the inverters expanded to reveal their respective internal transistor configurations, in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows an example of gate electrode tracks defined within the restricted gate level layout architecture, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows the exemplary restricted gate level layout architecture of FIG. 3A with a number of exemplary gate level features defined therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows diffusion and gate level layouts of a cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on three gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections;

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on four gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections;

FIG. 7 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on two gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections;

FIG. 8 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on three gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections;

FIG. 9 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on four gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections;

FIG. 10 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on four gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on two gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which all four cross-coupled transistors are directly connected to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14A with a detailed view of the pull up logic, and the pull down logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A shows the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14A in which two cross-coupled transistors remain directly connected to the common node, and in which two cross-coupled transistors are positioned outside the pull up logic and pull down logic, respectively, relative to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 15A with a detailed view of the pull up logic and the pull down logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 15B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which the cross-coupled transistors are connected to form two transmission gates to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 16A with a detailed view of the driving logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 16B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which two transistors of the four cross-coupled transistors are connected to form a transmission gate to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 17A with a detailed view of the driving logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 17B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18A shows a generalized latch circuit implemented using the cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 18A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic, the pull down driver logic, the pull up feedback logic, and the pull down feedback logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 18B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19A shows the latch circuit of FIG. 18A in which two cross-coupled transistors remain directly connected to the common node, and in which two cross-coupled transistors are positioned outside the pull up driver logic and pull down driver logic, respectively, relative to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 19A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic, the pull down driver logic, the pull up feedback logic, and the pull down feedback logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 19B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20A shows the latch circuit of FIG. 18A in which two cross-coupled transistors remain directly connected to the common node, and in which two cross-coupled transistors are positioned outside the pull up feedback logic and pull down feedback logic, respectively, relative to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 20A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic, the pull down driver logic, the pull up feedback logic, and the pull down feedback logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 20B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21A shows a generalized latch circuit in which cross-coupled transistors are connected to form two transmission gates to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 21A with a detailed view of the driving logic and the feedback logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 21B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22A shows a generalized latch circuit in which two transistors of the four cross-coupled transistors are connected to form a transmission gate to the common node, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 22A with a detailed view of the driving logic, the pull up feedback logic, and the pull down feedback logic, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 22B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 shows an embodiment in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIGS. 26-99, 150-157, and 168-172 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIGS. 103, 105, 112-149, 167, 184, and 186 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIGS. 158-166, 173-183, 185, and 187-191 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node;

FIGS. 100-111 show exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts in which the n-type and p-type diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors are shown to be electrically connected to a common node; and

FIG. 192 shows another exemplary cross-couple transistor layout in which the common diffusion node shared between the cross-coupled transistors 16601 p, 16603 p, 16605 p, and 16607 p has one or more transistors defined thereover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

SRAM Bit Cell Configuration

FIG. 1A shows an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) bit cell circuit, in accordance with the prior art. The SRAM bit cell includes two cross-coupled inverters 106 and 102. Specifically, an output 106B of inverter 106 is connected to an input 102A of inverter 102, and an output 102B of inverter 102 is connected to an input 106A of inverter 106. The SRAM bit cell further includes two NMOS pass transistors 100 and 104. The NMOS pass transistor 100 is connected between a bit-line 103 and a node 109 corresponding to both the output 106B of inverter 106 and the input 102A of inverter 102. The NMOS pass transistor 104 is connected between a bit-line 105 and a node 111 corresponding to both the output 102B of inverter 102 and the input 106A of inverter 106. Also, the respective gates of NMOS pass transistors 100 and 104 are each connected to a word line 107, which controls access to the SRAM bit cell through the NMOS pass transistors 100 and 104. The SRAM bit cell requires bi-directional write, which means that when bit-line 103 is driven high, bit-line 105 is driven low, vice-versa. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that a logic state stored in the SRAM bit cell is maintained in a complementary manner by nodes 109 and 111.

FIG. 1B shows the SRAM bit cell of FIG. 1A with the inverters 106 and 102 expanded to reveal their respective internal transistor configurations, in accordance with the prior art. The inverter 106 include a PMOS transistor 115 and an NMOS transistor 113. The respective gates of the PMOS and NMOS transistors 115, 113 are connected together to form the input 106A of inverter 106. Also, each of PMOS and NMOS transistors 115, 113 have one of their respective terminals connected together to form the output 106B of inverter 106. A remaining terminal of PMOS transistor 115 is connected to a power supply 117. A remaining terminal of NMOS transistor 113 is connected to a ground potential 119. Therefore, PMOS and NMOS transistors 115, 113 are activated in a complementary manner. When a high logic state is present at the input 106A of the inverter 106, the NMOS transistor 113 is turned on and the PMOS transistor 115 is turned off, thereby causing a low logic state to be generated at output 106B of the inverter 106. When a low logic state is present at the input 106A of the inverter 106, the NMOS transistor 113 is turned off and the PMOS transistor 115 is turned on, thereby causing a high logic state to be generated at output 106B of the inverter 106.

The inverter 102 is defined in an identical manner to inverter 106. The inverter 102 include a PMOS transistor 121 and an NMOS transistor 123. The respective gates of the PMOS and NMOS transistors 121, 123 are connected together to form the input 102A of inverter 102. Also, each of PMOS and NMOS transistors 121, 123 have one of their respective terminals connected together to form the output 102B of inverter 102. A remaining terminal of PMOS transistor 121 is connected to the power supply 117. A remaining terminal of NMOS transistor 123 is connected to the ground potential 119. Therefore, PMOS and NMOS transistors 121, 123 are activated in a complementary manner. When a high logic state is present at the input 102A of the inverter 102, the NMOS transistor 123 is turned on and the PMOS transistor 121 is turned off, thereby causing a low logic state to be generated at output 102B of the inverter 102. When a low logic state is present at the input 102A of the inverter 102, the NMOS transistor 123 is turned off and the PMOS transistor 121 is turned on, thereby causing a high logic state to be generated at output 102B of the inverter 102.

Cross-Coupled Transistor Configuration

FIG. 2 shows a cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cross-coupled transistor configuration includes four transistors: a PMOS transistor 401, an NMOS transistor 405, a PMOS transistor 403, and an NMOS transistor 407. The PMOS transistor 401 has one terminal connected to pull up logic 209A, and its other terminal connected to a common node 495. The NMOS transistor 405 has one terminal connected to pull down logic 211A, and its other terminal connected to the common node 495. The PMOS transistor 403 has one terminal connected to pull up logic 209B, and its other terminal connected to the common node 495. The NMOS transistor 407 has one terminal connected to pull down logic 211B, and its other terminal connected to the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 401 and the NMOS transistor 407 are both connected to a gate node 491. Respective gates of the NMOS transistor 405 and the PMOS transistor 403 are both connected to a gate node 493. The gate nodes 491 and 493 are also referred to as control nodes 491 and 493, respectively. Moreover, each of the common node 495, the gate node 491, and the gate node 493 can be referred to as an electrical connection 495, 491, 493, respectively.

Based on the foregoing, the cross-coupled transistor configuration includes four transistors: 1) a first PMOS transistor, 2) a first NMOS transistor, 3) a second PMOS transistor, and 4) a second NMOS transistor. Furthermore, the cross-coupled transistor configuration includes three required electrical connections: 1) each of the four transistors has one of its terminals connected to a same common node, 2) gates of one PMOS transistor and one NMOS transistor are both connected to a first gate node, and 3) gates of the other PMOS transistor and the other NMOS transistor are both connected to a second gate node.

It should be understood that the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 2 represents a basic configuration of cross-coupled transistors. In other embodiments, additional circuitry components can be connected to any node within the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 2. Moreover, in other embodiments, additional circuitry components can be inserted between any one or more of the cross-coupled transistors (401, 405, 403, 407) and the common node 495, without departing from the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 2.

Difference Between SRAM Bit Cell and Cross-Coupled Transistor Configurations

It should be understood that the SRAM bit cell of FIGS. 1A-1B does not include a cross-coupled transistor configuration. In particular, it should be understood that the cross-coupled “inverters” 106 and 102 within the SRAM bit cell neither represent nor infer a cross-coupled “transistor” configuration. As discussed above, the cross-coupled transistor configuration requires that each of the four transistors has one of its terminals electrically connected to the same common node. This does not occur in the SRAM bit cell.

With reference to the SRAM bit cell in FIG. 1B, the terminals of PMOS transistor 115 and NMOS transistor 113 are connected together at node 109, but the terminals of PMOS transistor 121 and NMOS transistor 123 are connected together at node 111. More specifically, the terminals of PMOS transistor 115 and NMOS transistor 113 that are connected together at the output 106B of the inverter are connected to the gates of each of PMOS transistor 121 and NMOS transistor 123, and therefore are not connected to both of the terminals of PMOS transistor 121 and NMOS transistor 123. Therefore, the SRAM bit cell does not include four transistors (two PMOS and two NMOS) that each have one of its terminals connected together at a same common node. Consequently, the SRAM bit cell does represent or include a cross-coupled transistor configuration, such as described with regard to FIG. 2.

Restricted Gate Level Layout Architecture

The present invention implements a restricted gate level layout architecture within a portion of a semiconductor chip. For the gate level, a number of parallel virtual lines are defined to extend across the layout. These parallel virtual lines are referred to as gate electrode tracks, as they are used to index placement of gate electrodes of various transistors within the layout. In one embodiment, the parallel virtual lines which form the gate electrode tracks are defined by a perpendicular spacing therebetween equal to a specified gate electrode pitch. Therefore, placement of gate electrode segments on the gate electrode tracks corresponds to the specified gate electrode pitch. In another embodiment the gate electrode tracks are spaced at variable pitches greater than or equal to a specified gate electrode pitch.

FIG. 3A shows an example of gate electrode tracks 301A-301E defined within the restricted gate level layout architecture, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Gate electrode tracks 301A-301E are formed by parallel virtual lines that extend across the gate level layout of the chip, with a perpendicular spacing therebetween equal to a specified gate electrode pitch 307. For illustrative purposes, complementary diffusion regions 303 and 305 are shown in FIG. 3A. It should be understood that the diffusion regions 303 and 305 are defined in the diffusion level below the gate level. Also, it should be understood that the diffusion regions 303 and 305 are provided by way of example and in no way represent any limitation on diffusion region size, shape, and/or placement within the diffusion level relative to the restricted gate level layout architecture.

Within the restricted gate level layout architecture, a gate level feature layout channel is defined about a given gate electrode track so as to extend between gate electrode tracks adjacent to the given gate electrode track. For example, gate level feature layout channels 301A-1 through 301E-1 are defined about gate electrode tracks 301A through 301E, respectively. It should be understood that each gate electrode track has a corresponding gate level feature layout channel. Also, for gate electrode tracks positioned adjacent to an edge of a prescribed layout space, e.g., adjacent to a cell boundary, the corresponding gate level feature layout channel extends as if there were a virtual gate electrode track outside the prescribed layout space, as illustrated by gate level feature layout channels 301A-1 and 301E-1. It should be further understood that each gate level feature layout channel is defined to extend along an entire length of its corresponding gate electrode track. Thus, each gate level feature layout channel is defined to extend across the gate level layout within the portion of the chip to which the gate level layout is associated.

Within the restricted gate level layout architecture, gate level features associated with a given gate electrode track are defined within the gate level feature layout channel associated with the given gate electrode track. A contiguous gate level feature can include both a portion which defines a gate electrode of a transistor, and a portion that does not define a gate electrode of a transistor. Thus, a contiguous gate level feature can extend over both a diffusion region and a dielectric region of an underlying chip level. In one embodiment, each portion of a gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a transistor is positioned to be substantially centered upon a given gate electrode track. Furthermore, in this embodiment, portions of the gate level feature that do not form a gate electrode of a transistor can be positioned within the gate level feature layout channel associated with the given gate electrode track. Therefore, a given gate level feature can be defined essentially anywhere within a given gate level feature layout channel, so long as gate electrode portions of the given gate level feature are centered upon the gate electrode track corresponding to the given gate level feature layout channel, and so long as the given gate level feature complies with design rule spacing requirements relative to other gate level features in adjacent gate level layout channels. Additionally, physical contact is prohibited between gate level features defined in gate level feature layout channels that are associated with adjacent gate electrode tracks.

FIG. 3B shows the exemplary restricted gate level layout architecture of FIG. 3A with a number of exemplary gate level features 309-323 defined therein, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate level feature 309 is defined within the gate level feature layout channel 301A-1 associated with gate electrode track 301A. The gate electrode portions of gate level feature 309 are substantially centered upon the gate electrode track 301A. Also, the non-gate electrode portions of gate level feature 309 maintain design rule spacing requirements with gate level features 311 and 313 defined within adjacent gate level feature layout channel 301B-1. Similarly, gate level features 311-323 are defined within their respective gate level feature layout channel, and have their gate electrode portions substantially centered upon the gate electrode track corresponding to their respective gate level feature layout channel. Also, it should be appreciated that each of gate level features 311-323 maintains design rule spacing requirements with gate level features defined within adjacent gate level feature layout channels, and avoids physical contact with any another gate level feature defined within adjacent gate level feature layout channels.

A gate electrode corresponds to a portion of a respective gate level feature that extends over a diffusion region, wherein the respective gate level feature is defined in its entirety within a gate level feature layout channel. Each gate level feature is defined within its gate level feature layout channel without physically contacting another gate level feature defined within an adjoining gate level feature layout channel. As illustrated by the example gate level feature layout channels 301A-1 through 301E-1 of FIG. 3B, each gate level feature layout channel is associated with a given gate electrode track and corresponds to a layout region that extends along the given gate electrode track and perpendicularly outward in each opposing direction from the given gate electrode track to a closest of either an adjacent gate electrode track or a virtual gate electrode track outside a layout boundary.

Some gate level features may have one or more contact head portions defined at any number of locations along their length. A contact head portion of a given gate level feature is defined as a segment of the gate level feature having a height and a width of sufficient size to receive a gate contact structure, wherein “width” is defined across the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the gate electrode track of the given gate level feature, and wherein “height” is defined across the substrate in a direction parallel to the gate electrode track of the given gate level feature. It should be appreciated that a contact head of a gate level feature, when viewed from above, can be defined by essentially any layout shape, including a square or a rectangle. Also, depending on layout requirements and circuit design, a given contact head portion of a gate level feature may or may not have a gate contact defined thereabove.

A gate level of the various embodiments disclosed herein is defined as a restricted gate level, as discussed above. Some of the gate level features form gate electrodes of transistor devices. Others of the gate level features can form conductive segments extending between two points within the gate level. Also, others of the gate level features may be non-functional with respect to integrated circuit operation. It should be understood that the each of the gate level features, regardless of function, is defined to extend across the gate level within their respective gate level feature layout channels without physically contacting other gate level features defined with adjacent gate level feature layout channels.

In one embodiment, the gate level features are defined to provide a finite number of controlled layout shape-to-shape lithographic interactions which can be accurately predicted and optimized for in manufacturing and design processes. In this embodiment, the gate level features are defined to avoid layout shape-to-shape spatial relationships which would introduce adverse lithographic interaction within the layout that cannot be accurately predicted and mitigated with high probability. However, it should be understood that changes in direction of gate level features within their gate level layout channels are acceptable when corresponding lithographic interactions are predictable and manageable.

It should be understood that each of the gate level features, regardless of function, is defined such that no gate level feature along a given gate electrode track is configured to connect directly within the gate level to another gate level feature defined along a different gate electrode track without utilizing a non-gate level feature. Moreover, each connection between gate level features that are placed within different gate level layout channels associated with different gate electrode tracks is made through one or more non-gate level features, which may be defined in higher interconnect levels, i.e., through one or more interconnect levels above the gate level, or by way of local interconnect features at or below the gate level.

Cross-Coupled Transistor Layouts

As discussed above, the cross-coupled transistor configuration includes four transistors (2 PMOS transistors and 2 NMOS transistors). In various embodiments of the present invention, gate electrodes defined in accordance with the restricted gate level layout architecture are respectively used to form the four transistors of a cross-coupled transistor configuration layout. FIG. 4 shows diffusion and gate level layouts of a cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 4 includes the first PMOS transistor 401 defined by a gate electrode 401A extending along a gate electrode track 450 and over a p-type diffusion region 480. The first NMOS transistor 407 is defined by a gate electrode 407A extending along a gate electrode track 456 and over an n-type diffusion region 486. The second PMOS transistor 403 is defined by a gate electrode 403A extending along the gate electrode track 456 and over a p-type diffusion region 482. The second NMOS transistor 405 is defined by a gate electrode 405A extending along the gate electrode track 450 and over an n-type diffusion region 484.

The gate electrodes 401A and 407A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407, respectively, are electrically connected to the first gate node 491 so as to be exposed to a substantially equivalent gate electrode voltage. Similarly, the gate electrodes 403A and 405A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405, respectively, are electrically connected to the second gate node 493 so as to be exposed to a substantially equivalent gate electrode voltage. Also, each of the four transistors 401, 403, 405, 407 has a respective diffusion terminal electrically connected to the common output node 495.

The cross-coupled transistor layout can be implemented in a number of different ways within the restricted gate level layout architecture. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the gate electrodes 401A and 405A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and second NMOS transistor 405 are positioned along the same gate electrode track 450. Similarly, the gate electrodes 403A and 407A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 407 are positioned along the same gate electrode track 456. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 4 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on two gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections.

FIG. 5 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on three gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections. Specifically, the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 is defined on the gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined on the gate electrode track 456. The gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is defined on a gate electrode track 456. And, the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is defined on a gate electrode track 448. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 5 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on four gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections. Specifically, the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 is defined on the gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined on the gate electrode track 456. The gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is defined on a gate electrode track 458. And, the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is defined on a gate electrode track 454. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 6 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on four gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections.

FIG. 7 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on two gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections. Specifically, the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 is defined on the gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is also defined on a gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined on the gate electrode track 456. And, the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is also defined on a gate electrode track 456. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 7 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on two gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections.

FIG. 8 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on three gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections. Specifically, the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 is defined on the gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is also defined on a gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined on the gate electrode track 454. And, the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is defined on a gate electrode track 456. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 8 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections.

FIG. 9 shows a variation of the cross-coupled transistor configuration of FIG. 4 in which the cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined on four gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections. Specifically, the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 is defined on the gate electrode track 450. The gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined on the gate electrode track 454. The gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is defined on a gate electrode track 452. And, the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is defined on a gate electrode track 456. Thus, the particular embodiment of FIG. 9 can be characterized as a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on four gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections.

It should be appreciated that although the cross-coupled transistors 401, 403, 405, 407 of FIGS. 4-9 are depicted as having their own respective diffusion region 480, 482, 484, 486, respectively, other embodiments may utilize a contiguous p-type diffusion region for PMOS transistors 401 and 403, and/or utilize a contiguous n-type diffusion region for NMOS transistors 405 and 407. Moreover, although the example layouts of FIGS. 4-9 depict the p-type diffusion regions 480 and 482 in a vertically aligned position, it should be understood that the p-type diffusion regions 480 and 482 may not be vertically aligned in other embodiments. Similarly, although the example layouts of FIGS. 4-9 depict the n-type diffusion regions 484 and 486 in a vertically aligned position, it should be understood that the n-type diffusion regions 484 and 486 may not be vertically aligned in other embodiments.

For example, the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 4 includes the first PMOS transistor 401 defined by the gate electrode 401A extending along the gate electrode track 450 and over a first p-type diffusion region 480. And, the second PMOS transistor 403 is defined by the gate electrode 403A extending along the gate electrode track 456 and over a second p-type diffusion region 482. The first NMOS transistor 407 is defined by the gate electrode 407A extending along the gate electrode track 456 and over a first n-type diffusion region 486. And, the second NMOS transistor 405 is defined by the gate electrode 405A extending along the gate electrode track 450 and over a second n-type diffusion region 484.

The gate electrode tracks 450 and 456 extend in a first parallel direction. At least a portion of the first p-type diffusion region 480 and at least a portion of the second p-type diffusion region 482 are formed over a first common line of extent that extends across the substrate perpendicular to the first parallel direction of the gate electrode tracks 450 and 456. Additionally, at least a portion of the first n-type diffusion region 486 and at least a portion of the second n-type diffusion region 484 are formed over a second common line of extent that extends across the substrate perpendicular to the first parallel direction of the gate electrode tracks 450 and 456.

FIG. 14C shows that two PMOS transistors (401A and 403A) of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region (PDIFF), two NMOS transistors (405A and 407A) of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region (NDIFF), and the p-type (PDIFF) and n-type (NDIFF) diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node 495. The gate electrodes of the cross-coupled transistors (401A, 403A, 405A, 407A) extend in a first parallel direction. At least a portion of a first p-type diffusion region associated with the first PMOS transistor 401A and at least a portion of a second p-type diffusion region associated with the second PMOS transistor 403A are formed over a first common line of extent that extends across the substrate perpendicular to the first parallel direction of the gate electrodes. Additionally, at least a portion of a first n-type diffusion region associated with the first NMOS transistor 405A and at least a portion of a second n-type diffusion region associated with the second NMOS transistor 407A are formed over a second common line of extent that extends across the substrate perpendicular to the first parallel direction of the gate electrodes.

In another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-coupled transistor layout embodiment in which two PMOS transistors (2301 and 2303) of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions (2302 and 2304), two NMOS transistors (2305 and 2307) of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region 2306, and the p-type (2302, 2304) and n-type 2306 diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node 2309.

FIG. 23 shows that the gate electrodes of the cross-coupled transistors (2301, 2303, 2305, 2307) extend in a first parallel direction 2311. FIG. 23 also shows that the first 2302 and second 2304 p-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner relative to the first parallel direction 2311 of the gate electrodes, such that no single line of extent that extends across the substrate in a direction 2313 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2311 of the gate electrodes intersects both the first 2302 and second 2304 p-type diffusion regions. Also, FIG. 23 shows that at least a portion of a first n-type diffusion region (part of 2306) associated with a first NMOS transistor 2305 and at least a portion of a second n-type diffusion region (part of 2306) associated with a second NMOS transistor 2307 are formed over a common line of extent that extends across the substrate in the direction 2313 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2311 of the gate electrodes.

In another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIG. 24 shows the cross-coupled transistor embodiment of FIG. 23, with the p-type (2302 and 2304) and n-type 2306 diffusion regions of FIG. 23 reversed to n-type (2402 and 2404) and p-type 2406 diffusion regions, respectively. FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-coupled transistor layout embodiment in which two PMOS transistors (2405 and 2407) of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region 2406, two NMOS transistors (2401 and 2403) of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions (2402 and 2404), and the p-type 2406 and n-type (2402 and 2404) diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node 2409.

FIG. 24 shows that the gate electrodes of the cross-coupled transistors (2401, 2403, 2405, 2407) extend in a first parallel direction 2411. FIG. 24 also shows that at least a portion of a first p-type diffusion region (part of 2406) associated with a first PMOS transistor 2405 and at least a portion of a second p-type diffusion region (part of 2406) associated with a second PMOS transistor 2407 are formed over a common line of extent that extends across the substrate in a direction 2413 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2411 of the gate electrodes. Also, FIG. 24 shows that the first 2402 and second 2404 n-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner relative to the first parallel direction 2411, such that no single line of extent that extends across the substrate in the direction 2413 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2411 of the gate electrodes intersects both the first 2402 and second 2404 n-type diffusion regions.

In yet another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIG. 25 shows a cross-coupled transistor layout embodiment in which two PMOS transistors (2501 and 2503) of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions (2502 and 2504), two NMOS transistors (2505 and 2507) of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions (2506 and 2508), and the p-type (2502 and 2504) and n-type (2506 and 2508) diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node 2509.

FIG. 25 shows that the gate electrodes of the cross-coupled transistors (2501, 2503, 2505, 2507) extend in a first parallel direction 2511. FIG. 25 also shows that the first 2502 and second 2504 p-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner relative to the first parallel direction 2511, such that no single line of extent that extends across the substrate in a direction 2513 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2511 of the gate electrodes intersects both the first 2502 and second 2504 p-type diffusion regions. Also, FIG. 25 shows that the first 2506 and second 2508 n-type diffusion regions are formed in a spaced apart manner relative to the first parallel direction 2511, such that no single line of extent that extends across the substrate in the direction 2513 perpendicular to the first parallel direction 2511 of the gate electrodes intersects both the first 2506 and second 2508 n-type diffusion regions.

In FIGS. 4-9, the gate electrode connections are electrically represented by lines 491 and 493, and the common node electrical connection is represented by line 495. It should be understood that in layout space each of the gate electrode electrical connections 491, 493, and the common node electrical connection 495 can be structurally defined by a number of layout shapes extending through multiple chip levels. FIGS. 10-13 show examples of how the gate electrode electrical connections 491, 493, and the common node electrical connection 495 can be defined in different embodiments. It should be understood that the example layouts of FIGS. 10-13 are provided by way of example and in no way represent an exhaustive set of possible multi-level connections that can be utilized for the gate electrode electrical connections 491, 493, and the common node electrical connection 495.

FIG. 10 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The layout of FIG. 10 represents an exemplary implementation of the cross-coupled transistor embodiment of FIG. 5. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1001, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1003, and a gate contact 1005. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1007, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1009, and a gate contact 1011. The output node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1013, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1015, a diffusion contact 1017, and a diffusion contact 1019.

FIG. 11 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on four gate electrode tracks with crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The layout of FIG. 11 represents an exemplary implementation of the cross-coupled transistor embodiment of FIG. 6. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1101, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1103, and a gate contact 1105. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1107, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1109, a via 1111, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1113, a via 1115, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1117, and a gate contact 1119. The output node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1121, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1123, a diffusion contact 1125, and a diffusion contact 1127.

FIG. 12 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on two gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The layout of FIG. 12 represents an exemplary implementation of the cross-coupled transistor embodiment of FIG. 7. The gate electrodes 401A and 407A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407, respectively, are formed by a contiguous gate level structure placed on the gate electrode track 450. Therefore, the electrical connection 491 between the gate electrodes 401A and 407A is made directly within the gate level along the single gate electrode track 450. Similarly, the gate electrodes 403A and 405A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405, respectively, are formed by a contiguous gate level structure placed on the gate electrode track 456. Therefore, the electrical connection 493 between the gate electrodes 403A and 405A is made directly within the gate level along the single gate electrode track 456. The output node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1205, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1207, and a diffusion contact 1209.

Further with regard to FIG. 12, it should be noted that when the gate electrodes 401A and 407A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407, respectively, are formed by a contiguous gate level structure, and when the gate electrodes 403A and 405A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405, respectively, are formed by a contiguous gate level structure, the corresponding cross-coupled transistor layout may include electrical connections between diffusion regions associated with the four cross-coupled transistors 401, 407, 403, 405, that cross in layout space without electrical communication therebetween. For example, diffusion region 1220 of PMOS transistor 403 is electrically connected to diffusion region 1222 of NMOS transistor 407 as indicated by electrical connection 1224, and diffusion region 1230 of PMOS transistor 401 is electrically connected to diffusion region 1232 of NMOS transistor 405 as indicated by electrical connection 1234, wherein electrical connections 1224 and 1234 cross in layout space without electrical communication therebetween.

FIG. 13 shows a multi-level layout including a cross-coupled transistor configuration defined on three gate electrode tracks without crossing gate electrode connections, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The layout of FIG. 13 represents an exemplary implementation of the cross-coupled transistor embodiment of FIG. 8. The gate electrodes 401A and 407A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407, respectively, are formed by a contiguous gate level structure placed on the gate electrode track 450. Therefore, the electrical connection 491 between the gate electrodes 401A and 407A is made directly within the gate level along the single gate electrode track 450. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1303, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1305, and a gate contact 1307. The output node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1311, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1313, and a diffusion contact 1315.

In one embodiment, electrical connection of the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node 495 can be made using one or more local interconnect conductors defined at or below the gate level itself. This embodiment may also combine local interconnect conductors with conductors in higher levels (above the gate level) by way of contacts and/or vias to make the electrical connection of the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node 495. Additionally, in various embodiments, conductive paths used to electrically connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node 495 can be defined to traverse over essentially any area of the chip as required to accommodate a routing solution for the chip.

Also, it should be appreciated that because the n-type and p-type diffusion regions are physically separate, and because the p-type diffusion regions for the two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors can be physically separate, and because the n-type diffusion regions for the two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors can be physically separate, it is possible in various embodiments to have each of the four cross-coupled transistors disposed at arbitrary locations in the layout relative to each other. Therefore, unless necessitated by electrical performance or other layout influencing conditions, it is not required that the four cross-coupled transistors be located within a prescribed proximity to each other in the layout. Although, location of the cross-coupled transistors within a prescribed proximity to each other is not precluded, and may be desirable in certain circuit layouts.

In the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, it should be understood that diffusion regions are not restricted in size. In other words, any given diffusion region can be sized in an arbitrary manner as required to satisfy electrical and/or layout requirements. Additionally, any given diffusion region can be shaped in an arbitrary manner as required to satisfy electrical and/or layout requirements. Also, it should be understood that the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration, as defined in accordance with the restricted gate level layout architecture, are not required to be the same size. In different embodiments, the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can either vary in size (transistor width or transistor gate length) or have the same size, depending on the applicable electrical and/or layout requirements.

Additionally, it should be understood that the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration are not required to be placed in close proximity to each, although they may be closely placed in some embodiments. More specifically, because connections between the transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can be made by routing through as least one higher interconnect level, there is freedom in placement of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration relative to each other. Although, it should be understood that a proximity of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration may be governed in certain embodiments by electrical and/or layout optimization requirements.

It should be appreciated that the cross-coupled transistor configurations and corresponding layouts implemented using the restricted gate level layout architecture, as described with regard to FIGS. 2-13, and/or variants thereof, can be used to form many different electrical circuits. For example, a portion of a modern semiconductor chip is likely to include a number of multiplexer circuits and/or latch circuits. Such multiplexer and/or latch circuits can be defined using cross-coupled transistor configurations and corresponding layouts based on the restricted gate level layout architecture, as disclosed herein. Example multiplexer embodiments implemented using the restricted gate level layout architecture and corresponding cross-coupled transistor configurations are described with regard to FIGS. 14A-17C. Example latch embodiments implemented using the restricted gate level layout architecture and corresponding cross-coupled transistor configurations are described with regard to FIGS. 18A-22C. It should be understood that the multiplexer and latch embodiments described with regard to FIGS. 14A-22C are provided by way of example and do not represent an exhaustive set of possible multiplexer and latch embodiments.

Example Multiplexer Embodiments

FIG. 14A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which all four cross-coupled transistors 401, 405, 403, 407 are directly connected to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. Also, gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. Pull up logic 1401 is electrically connected to the first PMOS transistor 401 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull down logic 1403 is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Also, pull up logic 1405 is electrically connected to the second PMOS transistor 403 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull down logic 1407 is electrically connected to the first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495.

FIG. 14B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14A with a detailed view of the pull up logic 1401 and 1405, and the pull down logic 1403 and 1407, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pull up logic 1401 is defined by a PMOS transistor 1401A connected between a power supply (VDD) and a terminal 1411 of the first PMOS transistor 401 opposite the common node 495. The pull down logic 1403 is defined by an NMOS transistor 1403A connected between a ground potential (GND) and a terminal 1413 of the second NMOS transistor 405 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1401A and NMOS transistor 1403A are connected together at a node 1415. The pull up logic 1405 is defined by a PMOS transistor 1405A connected between the power supply (VDD) and a terminal 1417 of the second PMOS transistor 403 opposite the common node 495. The pull down logic 1407 is defined by an NMOS transistor 1407A connected between a ground potential (GND) and a terminal 1419 of the first NMOS transistor 407 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1405A and NMOS transistor 1407A are connected together at a node 1421. It should be understood that the implementations of pull up logic 1401, 1405 and pull down logic 1403, 1407 as shown in FIG. 14B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 14B can be used to implement the pull up logic 1401, 1405 and the pull down logic 1403, 1407.

FIG. 14C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1445, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1447, and a gate contact 1449. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1431, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1433, a via 1435, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1436, a via 1437, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1439, and a gate contact 1441. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1451, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1453, a via 1455, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1457, a via 1459, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1461, and a diffusion contact 1463. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1401A and NMOS transistor 1403A are connected to the node 1415 by a gate contact 1443. Also, respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1405A and NMOS transistor 1407A are connected to the node 1421 by a gate contact 1465.

FIG. 15A shows the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 14A in which the two cross-coupled transistors 401 and 405 remain directly connected to the common node 495, and in which the two cross-coupled transistors 403 and 407 are positioned outside the pull up logic 1405 and pull down logic 1407, respectively, relative to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Pull up logic 1405 is electrically connected between the second PMOS transistor 403 and the common node 495. Pull down logic 1407 is electrically connected between the first NMOS transistor 407 and the common node 495. With the exception of repositioning the PMOS/NMOS transistors 403/407 outside of their pull up/down logic 1405/1407 relative to the common node 495, the circuit of FIG. 15A is the same as the circuit of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 15A with a detailed view of the pull up logic 1401 and 1405, and the pull down logic 1403 and 1407, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed with regard to FIG. 14B, the pull up logic 1401 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1401A connected between VDD and the terminal 1411 of the first PMOS transistor 401 opposite the common node 495. Also, the pull down logic 1403 is defined by NMOS transistor 1403A connected between GND and the terminal 1413 of the second NMOS transistor 405 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1401A and NMOS transistor 1403A are connected together at the node 1415. The pull up logic 1405 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1405A connected between the second PMOS transistor 403 and the common node 495. The pull down logic 1407 is defined by the NMOS transistor 1407A connected between the first NMOS transistor 407 and the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1405A and NMOS transistor 1407A are connected together at the node 1421. It should be understood that the implementations of pull up logic 1401, 1405 and pull down logic 1403, 1407 as shown in FIG. 15B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 15B can be used to implement the pull up logic 1401, 1405 and the pull down logic 1403, 1407.

FIG. 15C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 15B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1501, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1503, a via 1505, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1507, a via 1509, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1511, and a gate contact 1513. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1515, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1517, and a gate contact 1519. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1521, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1523, a via 1525, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1527, a via 1529, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1531, and a diffusion contact 1533. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1401A and NMOS transistor 1403A are connected to the node 1415 by a gate contact 1535. Also, respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1405A and NMOS transistor 1407A are connected to the node 1421 by a gate contact 1539.

FIG. 16A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which the cross-coupled transistors (401, 403, 405, 407) are connected to form two transmission gates 1602, 1604 to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. Also, gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. The first PMOS transistor 401 and second NMOS transistor 405 are connected to form a first transmission gate 1602 to the common node 495. The second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 are connected to form a second transmission gate 1604 to the common node 495. Driving logic 1601 is electrically connected to both the first PMOS transistor 401 and second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Driving logic 1603 is electrically connected to both the second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495.

FIG. 16B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 16A with a detailed view of the driving logic 1601 and 1603, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 16B, the driving logic 1601 is defined by an inverter 1601A and, the driving logic 1603 is defined by an inverter 1603A. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the driving logic 1601 and 1603 can be defined by any logic function, such as a two input NOR gate, a two input NAND gate, AND-OR logic, OR-AND logic, among others, by way of example.

FIG. 16C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 16B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1619, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1621, and a gate contact 1623. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1605, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1607, a via 1609, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1611, a via 1613, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1615, and a gate contact 1617. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1625, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1627, a via 1629, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1631, a via 1633, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1635, and a diffusion contact 1637. Transistors which form the inverter 1601A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1601AL. Transistors which form the inverter 1603A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1603AL.

FIG. 17A shows a generalized multiplexer circuit in which two transistors (403, 407) of the four cross-coupled transistors are connected to form a transmission gate 1702 to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. Also, gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. The second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 are connected to form the transmission gate 1702 to the common node 495. Driving logic 1701 is electrically connected to both the second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull up driving logic 1703 is electrically connected to the first PMOS transistor 401 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Also, pull down driving logic 1705 is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495.

FIG. 17B shows an exemplary implementation of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 17A with a detailed view of the driving logic 1701, 1703, and 1705, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The driving logic 1701 is defined by an inverter 1701A. The pull up driving logic 1703 is defined by a PMOS transistor 1703A connected between VDD and the first PMOS transistor 401. The pull down driving logic 1705 is defined by an NMOS transistor 1705A connected between GND and the second NMOS transistor 405. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1703A and NMOS transistor 1705A are connected together at the node 1707. It should be understood that the implementations of driving logic 1701, 1703, and 1705, as shown in FIG. 17B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 17B can be used to implement the driving logic 1701, 1703, and 1705.

FIG. 17C shows a multi-level layout of the multiplexer circuit of FIG. 17B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1723, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1725, and a gate contact 1727. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1709, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1711, a via 1713, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1715, a via 1717, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1719, and a gate contact 1721. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1729, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1731, a via 1733, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1735, a via 1737, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1739, and a diffusion contact 1741. Transistors which form the inverter 1701A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1701AL. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1703A and NMOS transistor 1705A are connected to the node 1707 by a gate contact 1743.

Example Latch Embodiments

FIG. 18A shows a generalized latch circuit implemented using the cross-coupled transistor configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. The gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. Each of the four cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to the common node 495. It should be understood that the common node 495 serves as a storage node in the latch circuit. Pull up driver logic 1805 is electrically connected to the second PMOS transistor 403 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull down driver logic 1807 is electrically connected to the first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull up feedback logic 1809 is electrically connected to the first PMOS transistor 401 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull down feedback logic 1811 is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Additionally, the common node 495 is connected to an input of an inverter 1801. An output of the inverter 1801 is electrically connected to a feedback node 1803. It should be understood that in other embodiments the inverter 1801 can be replaced by any logic function, such as a two input NOR gate, a two input NAND gate, among others, or any complex logic function.

FIG. 18B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 18A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic 1805, the pull down driver logic 1807, the pull up feedback logic 1809, and the pull down feedback logic 1811, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pull up driver logic 1805 is defined by a PMOS transistor 1805A connected between VDD and the second PMOS transistor 403 opposite the common node 495. The pull down driver logic 1807 is defined by an NMOS transistor 1807A connected between GND and the first NMOS transistor 407 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1805A and NMOS transistor 1807A are connected together at a node 1804. The pull up feedback logic 1809 is defined by a PMOS transistor 1809A connected between VDD and the first PMOS transistor 401 opposite the common node 495. The pull down feedback logic 1811 is defined by an NMOS transistor 1811A connected between GND and the second NMOS transistor 405 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1809A and NMOS transistor 1811A are connected together at the feedback node 1803. It should be understood that the implementations of pull up driver logic 1805, pull down driver logic 1807, pull up feedback logic 1809, and pull down feedback logic 1811 as shown in FIG. 18B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 18B can be used to implement the pull up driver logic 1805, the pull down driver logic 1807, the pull up feedback logic 1809, and the pull down feedback logic 1811.

FIG. 18C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 18B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1813, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1815, a via 1817, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1819, a via 1821, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1823, and a gate contact 1825. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1827, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1829, and a gate contact 1831. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1833, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1835, a via 1837, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1839, a via 1841, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1843, and a diffusion contact 1845. Transistors which form the inverter 1801 are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1801L.

FIG. 19A shows the latch circuit of FIG. 18A in which the two cross-coupled transistors 401 and 405 remain directly connected to the output node 495, and in which the two cross-coupled transistors 403 and 407 are positioned outside the pull up driver logic 1805 and pull down driver logic 1807, respectively, relative to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Pull up driver logic 1805 is electrically connected between the second PMOS transistor 403 and the common node 495. Pull down driver logic 1807 is electrically connected between the first NMOS transistor 407 and the common node 495. With the exception of repositioning the PMOS/NMOS transistors 403/407 outside of their pull up/down driver logic 1805/1807 relative to the common node 495, the circuit of FIG. 19A is the same as the circuit of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 19A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic 1805, pull down driver logic 1807, pull up feedback logic 1809, and pull down feedback logic 1811, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed with regard to FIG. 18B, the pull up feedback logic 1809 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1809A connected between VDD and the first PMOS transistor 401 opposite the common node 495. Also, the pull down feedback logic 1811 is defined by NMOS transistor 1811A connected between

GND and the second NMOS transistor 405 opposite the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1809A and NMOS transistor 1811A are connected together at the feedback node 1803. The pull up driver logic 1805 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1805A connected between the second PMOS transistor 403 and the common node 495. The pull down driver logic 1807 is defined by the NMOS transistor 1807A connected between the first NMOS transistor 407 and the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1805A and NMOS transistor 1807A are connected together at the node 1804. It should be understood that the implementations of pull up driver logic 1805, pull down driver logic 1807, pull up feedback logic 1809, and pull down feedback logic 1811 as shown in FIG. 19B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 19B can be used to implement the pull up driver logic 1805, the pull down driver logic 1807, the pull up feedback logic 1809, and the pull down feedback logic 1811.

FIG. 19C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 19B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1901, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1903, a via 1905, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1907, a via 1909, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1911, and a gate contact 1913. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 1915, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1917, and a gate contact 1919. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 1921, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1923, a via 1925, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 1927, a via 1929, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 1931, and a diffusion contact 1933. Transistors which form the inverter 1801 are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1801L.

FIG. 20A shows the latch circuit of FIG. 18A in which the two cross-coupled transistors 403 and 407 remain directly connected to the output node 495, and in which the two cross-coupled transistors 401 and 405 are positioned outside the pull up feedback logic 1809 and pull down feedback logic 1811, respectively, relative to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Pull up feedback logic 1809 is electrically connected between the first PMOS transistor 401 and the common node 495. Pull down feedback logic 1811 is electrically connected between the second NMOS transistor 405 and the common node 495. With the exception of repositioning the PMOS/NMOS transistors 401/405 outside of their pull up/down feedback logic 1809/1811 relative to the common node 495, the circuit of FIG. 20A is the same as the circuit of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 20B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 20A with a detailed view of the pull up driver logic 1805, pull down driver logic 1807, pull up feedback logic 1809, and pull down feedback logic 1811, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pull up feedback logic 1809 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1809A connected between the first PMOS transistor 401 and the common node 495. Also, the pull down feedback logic 1811 is defined by NMOS transistor 1811A connected between the second NMOS transistor 405 and the common node 495. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1809A and NMOS transistor 1811A are connected together at the feedback node 1803. The pull up driver logic 1805 is defined by the PMOS transistor 1805A connected between VDD and the second PMOS transistor 403. The pull down driver logic 1807 is defined by the NMOS transistor 1807A connected between GND and the first NMOS transistor 407. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 1805A and NMOS transistor 1807A are connected together at the node 1804. It should be understood that the implementations of pull up driver logic 1805, pull down driver logic 1807, pull up feedback logic 1809, and pull down feedback logic 1811 as shown in FIG. 20B are exemplary. In other embodiments, logic different than that shown in FIG. 20B can be used to implement the pull up driver logic 1805, the pull down driver logic 1807, the pull up feedback logic 1809, and the pull down feedback logic 1811.

FIG. 20C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 20B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2001, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2003, a via 2005, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 2007, a via 2009, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2011, and a gate contact 2013. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2015, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2017, and a gate contact 2019. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 2021, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2023, and a diffusion contact 2025. Transistors which form the inverter 1801 are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1801L.

FIG. 21A shows a generalized latch circuit in which the cross-coupled transistors (401, 403, 405, 407) are connected to form two transmission gates 2103, 2105 to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. Also, gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. The first PMOS transistor 401 and second NMOS transistor 405 are connected to form a first transmission gate 2103 to the common node 495. The second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 are connected to form a second transmission gate 2105 to the common node 495. Feedback logic 2109 is electrically connected to both the first PMOS transistor 401 and second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Driving logic 2107 is electrically connected to both the second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Additionally, the common node 495 is connected to the input of the inverter 1801. The output of the inverter 1801 is electrically connected to a feedback node 2101. It should be understood that in other embodiments the inverter 1801 can be replaced by any logic function, such as a two input NOR gate, a two input NAND gate, among others, or any complex logic function.

FIG. 21B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 21A with a detailed view of the driving logic 2107 and feedback logic 2109, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The driving logic 2107 is defined by an inverter 2107A. Similarly, the feedback logic 2109 is defined by an inverter 2109A. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the driving logic 2107 and/or 2109 can be defined by logic other than an inverter.

FIG. 21C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 21B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2111, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2113, a via 2115, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 2117, a via 2119, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2121, and a gate contact 2123. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2125, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2127, and a gate contact 2129. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 2131, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2133, a via 2135, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 2137, a via 2139, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2141, and a diffusion contact 2143. Transistors which form the inverter 2107A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 2107AL. Transistors which form the inverter 2109A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 2109AL. Transistors which form the inverter 1801 are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1801L.

FIG. 22A shows a generalized latch circuit in which two transistors (403, 407) of the four cross-coupled transistors are connected to form a transmission gate 2105 to the common node 495, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, gates of the first PMOS transistor 401 and first NMOS transistor 407 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 491. Also, gates of the second PMOS transistor 403 and second NMOS transistor 405 are electrically connected, as shown by electrical connection 493. The second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 are connected to form the transmission gate 2105 to the common node 495. Driving logic 2201 is electrically connected to both the second PMOS transistor 403 and first NMOS transistor 407 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Pull up feedback logic 2203 is electrically connected to the first PMOS transistor 401 at a terminal opposite the common node 495. Also, pull down feedback logic 2205 is electrically connected to the second NMOS transistor 405 at a terminal opposite the common node 495.

FIG. 22B shows an exemplary implementation of the latch circuit of FIG. 22A with a detailed view of the driving logic 2201, the pull up feedback logic 2203, and the pull down feedback logic 2205, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The driving logic 2201 is defined by an inverter 2201A. The pull up feedback logic 2203 is defined by a PMOS transistor 2203A connected between VDD and the first PMOS transistor 401. The pull down feedback logic 2205 is defined by an NMOS transistor 2205A connected between GND and the second NMOS transistor 405. Respective gates of the PMOS transistor 2203A and NMOS transistor 2205A are connected together at the feedback node 2101. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the driving logic 2201 can be defined by logic other than an inverter. Also, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the pull up feedback logic 2203 and/or pull down feedback logic 2205 can be defined logic different than what is shown in FIG. 22B.

FIG. 22C shows a multi-level layout of the latch circuit of FIG. 22B implemented using a restricted gate level layout architecture cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connection 491 between the gate electrode 401A of the first PMOS transistor 401 and the gate electrode 407A of the first NMOS transistor 407 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2207, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2209, a via 2211, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 2213, a via 2215, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2217, and a gate contact 2219. The electrical connection 493 between the gate electrode 403A of the second PMOS transistor 403 and the gate electrode 405A of the second NMOS transistor 405 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a gate contact 2221, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2223, and a gate contact 2225. The common node electrical connection 495 is formed by a multi-level connection that includes a diffusion contact 2227, a (one-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2229, a via 2231, a (one-dimensional) metal-2 structure 2233, a via 2235, a (two-dimensional) metal-1 structure 2237, and a diffusion contact 2239. Transistors which form the inverter 2201A are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 2201AL. Transistors which form the inverter 1801 are shown within the region bounded by the dashed line 1801L.

Exemplary Embodiments

In one embodiment, a cross-coupled transistor configuration is defined within a semiconductor chip. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIG. 2. In this embodiment, a first P channel transistor (401) is defined to include a first gate electrode (401A) defined in a gate level of the chip. Also, a first N channel transistor (407) is defined to include a second gate electrode (407A) defined in the gate level of the chip. The second gate electrode (407A) of the first N channel transistor (407) is electrically connected to the first gate electrode (401A) of the first P channel transistor (401). Further, a second P channel transistor (403) is defined to include a third gate electrode (403A) defined in the gate level of a chip. Also, a second N channel transistor (405) is defined to include a fourth gate electrode (405A) defined in the gate level of the chip. The fourth gate electrode (405A) of the second N channel transistor (405) is electrically connected to the third gate electrode (403A) of the second P channel transistor (403). Additionally, each of the first P channel transistor (401), first N channel transistor (407), second P channel transistor (403), and second N channel transistor (405) has a respective diffusion terminal electrically connected to a common node (495).

It should be understood that in some embodiments, one or more of the first P channel transistor (401), the first N channel transistor (407), the second P channel transistor (403), and the second N channel transistor (405) can be respectively implemented by a number of transistors electrically connected in parallel. In this instance, the transistors that are electrically connected in parallel can be considered as one device corresponding to either of the first P channel transistor (401), the first N channel transistor (407), the second P channel transistor (403), and the second N channel transistor (405). It should be understood that electrical connection of multiple transistors in parallel to form a given transistor of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can be utilized to achieve a desired drive strength for the given transistor.

In one embodiment, each of the first (401A), second (407A), third (403A), and fourth (405A) gate electrodes is defined to extend along any of a number of gate electrode tracks, such as described with regard to FIG. 3. The number of gate electrode tracks extend across the gate level of the chip in a parallel orientation with respect to each other. Also, it should be understood that each of the first (401A), second (407A), third (403A), and fourth (405A) gate electrodes corresponds to a portion of a respective gate level feature defined within a gate level feature layout channel. Each gate level feature is defined within its gate level feature layout channel without physically contacting another gate level feature defined within an adjoining gate level feature layout channel. Each gate level feature layout channel is associated with a given gate electrode track and corresponds to a layout region that extends along the given gate electrode track and perpendicularly outward in each opposing direction from the given gate electrode track to a closest of either an adjacent gate electrode track or a virtual gate electrode track outside a layout boundary, such as described with regard to FIG. 3B.

In various implementations of the above-described embodiment, such as in the exemplary layouts of FIGS. 10, 11, 14C, 15C, 16C, 17C, 18C, 19C, 20C, 21C, 22C, the second gate electrode (407A) is electrically connected to the first gate electrode (401A) through at least one electrical conductor defined within any chip level other than the gate level. And, the fourth gate electrode (405A) is electrically connected to the third gate electrode (403A) through at least one electrical conductor defined within any chip level other than the gate level.

In various implementations of the above-described embodiment, such as in the exemplary layout of FIG. 13, both the second gate electrode (407A) and the first gate electrode (401A) are formed from a single gate level feature that is defined within a same gate level feature layout channel that extends along a single gate electrode track over both a p type diffusion region and an n type diffusion region. And, the fourth gate electrode (405A) is electrically connected to the third gate electrode (403A) through at least one electrical conductor defined within any chip level other than the gate level.

In various implementations of the above-described embodiment, such as in the exemplary layouts of FIG. 12, both the second gate electrode (407A) and the first gate electrode (401A) are formed from a first gate level feature that is defined within a first gate level feature layout channel that extends along a first gate electrode track over both a p type diffusion region and an n type diffusion region. And, both the fourth gate electrode (405A) and the third gate electrode (403A) are formed from a second gate level feature that is defined within a second gate level feature layout channel that extends along a second gate electrode track over both a p type diffusion region and an n type diffusion region.

In one embodiment, the above-described gate electrode cross-coupled transistor configuration is used to implement a multiplexer having no transmission gates. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIGS. 14-15. In this embodiment, a first configuration of pull-up logic (1401) is electrically connected to the first P channel transistor (401), a first configuration of pull-down logic (1407) electrically connected to the first N channel transistor (407), a second configuration of pull-up logic (1405) electrically connected to the second P channel transistor (403), and a second configuration of pull-down logic (1403) electrically connected to the second N channel transistor (405).

In the particular embodiments of FIGS. 14B and 15B, the first configuration of pull-up logic (1401) is defined by a third P channel transistor (1401A), and the second configuration of pull-down logic (1403) is defined by a third N channel transistor (1403A). Respective gates of the third P channel transistor (1401A) and third N channel transistor (1403A) are electrically connected together so as to receive a substantially equivalent electrical signal. Moreover, the first configuration of pull-down logic (1407) is defined by a fourth N channel transistor (1407A), and the second configuration of pull-up logic (1405) is defined by a fourth P channel transistor (1405A). Respective gates of the fourth P channel transistor (1405A) and fourth N channel transistor (1407A) are electrically connected together so as to receive a substantially equivalent electrical signal.

In one embodiment, the above-described gate electrode cross-coupled transistor configuration is used to implement a multiplexer having one transmission gate. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIG. 17. In this embodiment, a first configuration of pull-up logic (1703) is electrically connected to the first P channel transistor (401), a first configuration of pull-down logic (1705) electrically connected to the second N channel transistor (405), and mux driving logic (1701) is electrically connected to both the second P channel transistor (403) and the first N channel transistor (407).

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 17B, the first configuration of pull-up logic (1703) is defined by a third P channel transistor (1703A), and the first configuration of pull-down logic (1705) is defined by a third N channel transistor (1705A). Respective gates of the third P channel transistor (1703A) and third N channel transistor (1705A) are electrically connected together so as to receive a substantially equivalent electrical signal. Also, the mux driving logic (1701) is defined by an inverter (1701A).

In one embodiment, the above-described gate electrode cross-coupled transistor configuration is used to implement a latch having no transmission gates. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIGS. 18-20. In this embodiment, pull-up driver logic (1805) is electrically connected to the second P channel transistor (403), pull-down driver logic (1807) is electrically connected to the first N channel transistor (407), pull-up feedback logic (1809) is electrically connected to the first P channel transistor (401), and pull-down feedback logic (1811) is electrically connected to the second N channel transistor (405). Also, the latch includes an inverter (1801) having an input connected to the common node (495) and an output connected to a feedback node (1803). Each of the pull-up feedback logic (1809) and pull-down feedback logic (1811) is connected to the feedback node (1803).

In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 18B, 19B, and 20B, the pull-up driver logic (1805) is defined by a third P channel transistor (1805A), and the pull-down driver logic (1807) is defined by a third N channel transistor (1807A). Respective gates of the third P channel transistor (1805A) and third N channel transistor (1807A) are electrically connected together so as to receive a substantially equivalent electrical signal. Additionally, the pull-up feedback logic (1809) is defined by a fourth P channel transistor (1809A), and the pull-down feedback logic (1811) is defined by a fourth N channel transistor (1811A). Respective gates of the fourth P channel transistor (1809A) and fourth N channel transistor (1811A) are electrically connected together at the feedback node (1803).

In one embodiment, the above-described gate electrode cross-coupled transistor configuration is used to implement a latch having two transmission gates. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIG. 21. In this embodiment, driving logic (2107) is electrically connected to both the second P channel transistor (403) and the first N channel transistor (407). Also, feedback logic (2109) is electrically connected to both the first P channel transistor (401) and the second N channel transistor (405). The latch further includes a first inverter (1801) having an input connected to the common node (495) and an output connected to a feedback node (2101). The feedback logic (2109) is electrically connected to the feedback node (2101). In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21B, the driving logic (2107) is defined by a second inverter (2107A), and the feedback logic (2109) is defined by a third inverter (2109A).

In one embodiment, the above-described gate electrode cross-coupled transistor configuration is used to implement a latch having one transmission gate. This embodiment is illustrated in part with regard to FIG. 22. In this embodiment, driving logic (2201) is electrically connected to both the second P channel transistor (403) and the first N channel transistor (407). Also, pull up feedback logic (2203) is electrically connected to the first P channel transistor (401), and pull down feedback logic (2205) electrically connected to the second N channel transistor (405). The latch further includes a first inverter (1801) having an input connected to the common node (495) and an output connected to a feedback node (2101). Both the pull up feedback logic (2203) and pull down feedback logic (2205) are electrically connected to the feedback node (2101). In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22B, the driving logic (2201) is defined by a second inverter (2201A). Also, the pull up feedback logic (2203) is defined by a third P channel transistor (2203A) electrically connected between the first P channel transistor (401) and the feedback node (2101). The pull down feedback logic (2205) is defined by a third N channel transistor (2205A) electrically connected between the second N channel transistor (405) and the feedback node (2101).

In one embodiment, cross-coupled transistors devices are defined and connected to form part of an integrated circuit within a semiconductor chip (“chip” hereafter). The chip includes a number of levels within which different features are defined to form the integrated circuit and cross-coupled transistors therein. The chip includes a substrate within which a number of diffusion regions are formed. The chip also includes a gate level in which a number of gate electrodes are formed. The chip further includes a number of interconnect levels successively defined above the gate level. A dielectric material is used to electrically separate a given level from its vertically adjacent levels. A number of contact features are defined to extend vertically through the chip to connect gate electrode features and diffusion regions, respectively, to various interconnect level features. Also, a number of via features are defined to extend vertically through the chip to connect various interconnect level features.

The gate level of the various embodiments disclosed herein is defined as a linear gate level and includes a number of commonly oriented linear gate level features. Some of the linear gate level features form gate electrodes of transistor devices. Others of the linear gate level features can form conductive segments extending between two points within the gate level. Also, others of the linear gate level features may be non-functional with respect to integrated circuit operation. It should be understood that the each of the linear gate level features, regardless of function, is defined to extend across the gate level in a common direction and to be devoid of a substantial change in direction along its length. Therefore, each of the gate level features is defined to be parallel to each other when viewed from a perspective perpendicular to the gate level.

It should be understood that each of the linear gate electrode features, regardless of function, is defined such that no linear gate electrode feature along a given line of extent is configured to connect directly within the gate electrode level to another linear gate electrode feature defined along another parallel line of extent, without utilizing a non-gate electrode feature. Moreover, each connection between linear gate electrode features that are placed on different, yet parallel, lines of extent is made through one or more non-gate electrode features, which may be defined in higher interconnect level(s), i.e., through one or more interconnect level(s) above the gate electrode level, or by way of local interconnect features within the linear gate level. In one embodiment, the linear gate electrode features are placed according to a virtual grid or virtual grate. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments the linear gate electrode features, although oriented to have a common direction of extent, are placed without regard to a virtual grid or virtual grate.

Additionally, it should be understood that while each linear gate electrode feature is defined to be devoid of a substantial change in direction along its line of extent, each linear gate electrode feature may have one or more contact head portion(s) defined at any number of location(s) along its length. A contact head portion of a given linear gate electrode feature is defined as a segment of the linear gate electrode feature having a different width than a gate portion of the linear gate electrode feature, i.e., than a portion of the linear gate electrode feature that extends over a diffusion region, wherein “width” is defined across the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the line of extent of the given linear gate electrode feature. It should be appreciated that a contact head of linear gate electrode feature, when viewed from above, can be defined by essentially any rectangular layout shape, including a square and a rectangle. Also, depending on layout requirements and circuit design, a given contact head portion of a linear gate electrode feature may or may not have a gate contact defined thereabove.

In one embodiment, a substantial change in direction of a linear gate level feature exists when the width of the linear gate level feature at any point thereon changes by more than 50% of the nominal width of the linear gate level feature along its entire length. In another embodiment, a substantial change in direction of a linear gate level feature exists when the width of the linear gate level feature changes from any first location on the linear gate level feature to any second location on the linear gate level feature by more that 50% of the linear gate level feature width at the first location. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the use of non-linear-shaped gate level features is specifically avoided, wherein a non-linear-shaped gate level feature includes one or more significant bends within a plane of the gate level.

Each of the linear gate level features has a width defined perpendicular to its direction of extent across the gate level. In one embodiment, the various gate level features can be defined to have different widths. In another embodiment, the various gate level features can be defined to have the same width. Also, a center-to-center spacing between adjacent linear gate level features, as measured perpendicular to their direction of extent across the gate level, is referred to as gate pitch. In one embodiment, a uniform gate pitch is used. However, in another embodiment, the gate pitch can vary across the gate level. It should be understood that linear gate level feature width and pitch specifications can be established for a portion of the chip and can be different for separate portions of the chip, wherein the portion of the chip may be of any size and shape.

Various embodiments are disclosed herein for cross-coupled transistor layouts defined using the linear gate level as described above. Each cross-coupled transistor layout embodiment includes four cross-coupled transistors, wherein each of these four cross-coupled transistors is defined in part by a respective linear gate electrode feature, and wherein the linear gate electrode features of the cross-coupled transistors are oriented to extend across the layout in a parallel relationship to each other.

Also, in each cross-coupled transistor layout, each of the gate electrodes of the four cross-coupled transistors is associated with, i.e., electrically interfaced with, a respective diffusion region. The diffusion regions associated with the gate electrodes of the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. In various embodiments, connection of the cross-coupled transistor's diffusion regions to the common node can be made in many different ways.

For example, in one embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIGS. 26-99, 150-157, and 168-172 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. It should be understood that although FIGS. 26-99 do not explicitly show an electrical connection of the n-type and p-type diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to a common node, this common node connection between the n-type and p-type diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors is present in a full version of the exemplary layouts.

In another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIGS. 103, 105, 112-149, 167, 184, and 186 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common n-type diffusion region, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node.

In another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIG. 100 as shown and each of FIGS. 103, 105, 112-149, 167, 184, and 186 with the p-type and n-type diffusion regions reversed to n-type and p-type, respectively, illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are disposed over a common p-type diffusion region, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node.

In yet another embodiment, two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node. FIGS. 158-166, 173-183, 185, and 187-191 illustrate various cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments in which two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated p-type diffusion regions, two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors are respectively disposed over physically separated n-type diffusion regions, and the p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors are electrically connected to a common node.

It should be understood that the electrical connection of the various p-type and n-type diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistors to the common node can be made using electrical conductors defined within any level of the chip and within any number of levels of the chip, by way of contact and/or vias, so as to accommodate essentially any cross-coupled layout configuration defined in accordance with the linear gate level restrictions. In one embodiment, electrical connection of the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node can be made using one or more local interconnect conductors defined within the gate level itself. This embodiment may also combine local interconnect conductors with conductors in higher levels (above the linear gate level) by way of contacts and/or vias to make the electrical connection of the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node. Additionally, in various embodiments, conductive paths used to electrically connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node can be defined to traverse over essentially any area of the chip as required to accommodate a routing solution for the chip.

Also, it should be appreciated that because the n-type and p-type diffusion regions are physically separate, and because the p-type diffusion regions for the two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors can be physically separate, and because the n-type diffusion regions for the two NMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors can be physically separate, it is possible in various embodiments to have each of the four cross-coupled transistors disposed at arbitrary locations in the layout relative to each other. Therefore, unless necessitated by electrical performance or other layout influencing conditions, it is not required that the four cross-coupled transistors be located within a prescribed proximity to each other in the layout. Although, location of the cross-coupled transistors within a prescribed proximity to each other is not precluded, and may be desirable in certain circuit layouts.

FIG. 26 is an illustration showing an exemplary cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cross-couple layout includes four transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p. Transistors 102 p, 106 p are defined over a first diffusion region 110 p. Transistors 108 p, 104 p are defined over a second diffusion region 112 p. In one embodiment, the first diffusion region 110 p is defined such that transistors 102 p and 106 p are NMOS transistors, and the second diffusion region 112 p is defined such that transistors 104 p and 108 p are PMOS transistors. In another embodiment, the first diffusion region 110 p is defined such that transistors 102 p and 106 p are PMOS transistors, and the second diffusion region 112 p is defined such that transistors 104 p and 108 p are NMOS transistors. Additionally, the separation distance 114 p between the first and second diffusion regions 110 p, 112 p can vary depending on the requirements of the layout and the area required for connection of the cross-coupled transistors between the first and second diffusion regions 110 p, 112 p.

In the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, it should be understood that diffusion regions are not restricted in size. In other words, any given diffusion region can be sized in an arbitrary manner as required to satisfy electrical and/or layout requirements. Additionally, any given diffusion region can be shaped in an arbitrary manner as required to satisfy electrical and/or layout requirements. Additionally, as discussed above, in various embodiments a cross-coupled transistor configuration can utilize physically separate n-channel diffusion regions and/or physically separate p-channel diffusion regions. More specifically, the two N-MOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can utilize physically separate n-channel diffusion regions, and/or the two PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can utilize physically separate p-channel diffusion regions.

Also, it should be understood that the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration, as defined in accordance with the linear gate level, are not required to be the same size. In different embodiments, the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can either vary in size (transistor width or transistor gate length) or have the same size, depending on the applicable electrical and/or layout requirements. Additionally, it should be understood that the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration are not required to be placed in close proximity to each, although they may be closely placed in some embodiments. More specifically, because connections between the transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration can be made by routing through as least one higher interconnect level, there is freedom in placement of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration relative to each other. Although, it should be understood that a proximity of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration may be governed in certain embodiments by electrical and/or layout optimization requirements.

The layout of FIG. 26 utilizes a linear gate level as described above. Specifically, each of linear gate level features 116Ap-116Fp, regardless of function, is defined to extend across the gate level in a common direction and to be devoid of a substantial change in direction along its length. Linear gate level features 116Bp, 116Fp, 116Cp, and 116Ep form the gate electrodes of transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, and 108 p, respectively. The gate electrodes of transistors 106 p and 108 p are connected through gate contacts 118 p and 120 p, and through a higher interconnect level feature 101 p. In one embodiment, the interconnect level feature 101 p is a first interconnect level feature, i.e., Metal-1 level feature. However, in other embodiments, the interconnect level feature 101 p can be a higher interconnect level feature, such as a Metal-2 level feature, or Metal-3 level feature.

In the illustrated embodiment, to facilitate fabrication (e.g., lithographic resolution) of the interconnect level feature 101 p, edges of the interconnect level feature 101 p are substantially aligned with edges of neighboring interconnect level features 103 p, 105 p. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may have interconnect level features placed without regard to interconnect level feature alignment or an interconnect level grid. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, to facilitate fabrication (e.g., lithographic resolution), the gate contacts 118 p and 120 p are substantially aligned with neighboring contact features 122 p and 124 p, respectively, such that the gate contacts are placed according to a gate contact grid. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may have gate contacts placed without regard to gate contact alignment or gate contact grid.

The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through interconnect level (e.g., Metal-1 level) feature 130 p, through via 132 p, through higher interconnect level (e.g., Metal-2 level) feature 134 p, through via 136 p, through interconnect level (e.g., Metal-1 level) feature 138 p, and through gate contacts 128 p. Although the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 26 utilizes the Metal-1 and Metal-2 levels to connect the gate electrodes of transistors 102 p and 104 p, it should be appreciated that in various embodiment, essentially any combination of interconnect levels can be used to make the connection between the gate electrodes of transistors 102 p and 104 p.

It should be appreciated that the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 26 is defined using four transistors (102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p) and four gate contacts (126 p, 128 p, 118 p, 120 p). Also, the layout embodiment of FIG. 26 can be characterized in that two of the four gate contacts are placed between the NMOS and PMOS transistors of the cross-coupled transistors, one of the four gate contacts is placed outside of the NMOS transistors, and one of the four gate contacts is placed outside of the PMOS transistors. The two gate contacts placed between the NMOS and PMOS transistors are referred to as “inner gate contacts.” The two gate contacts placed outside of the NMOS and PMOS transistors are referred to as “outer gate contacts.”

In describing the cross-coupled layout embodiments illustrated in the various Figures herein, including that of FIG. 26, the direction in which the linear gate level features extend across the layout is referred to as a “vertical direction.” Correspondingly, the direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the linear gate level features extend across the layout is referred to as a “horizontal direction.” With this in mind, in the cross-coupled layout of FIG. 26, it can be seen that the transistors 102 p and 104 p having the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, respectively, are connected by using two horizontal interconnect level features 130 p and 138 p, and by using one vertical interconnect level feature 134 p. It should be understood that the horizontal and vertical interconnect level features 130 p, 134 p, 138 p used to connect the outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p can be placed essentially anywhere in the layout, i.e., can be horizontally shifted in either direction away from the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary to satisfy particular layout/routing requirements.

FIG. 27 is an illustration showing the exemplary layout of FIG. 26, with the linear gate electrode features 116Bp, 116Cp, 116Ep, and 116Fp defined to include contact head portions 117Bp, 117Cp, 117Ep, and 117Fp, respectively. As previously discussed, a linear gate electrode feature is allowed to have one or more contact head portion(s) along its line of extent, so long as the linear gate electrode feature does not connect directly within the gate level to another linear gate electrode feature having a different, yet parallel, line of extent.

FIG. 28 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 26, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that essentially any cross-coupled transistor configuration layout defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be represented in an alternate manner by horizontally and/or vertically reversing placement of the gate contacts that are used to connect one or both pairs of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration. Also, it should be understood that essentially any cross-coupled transistor configuration layout defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be represented in an alternate manner by maintaining gate contact placements and by modifying each routing path used to connect one or both pairs of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration.

FIG. 29 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 26, with the vertical positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p and 120 p adjusted to enable alignment of the line end spacings between co-linearly aligned gate level features, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, gate contact 118 p is adjusted vertically upward, and gate contact 120 p is adjusted vertically downward. The linear gate level features 116Bp and 116Ep are then adjusted such that the line end spacing 142 p therebetween is substantially vertically centered within area shadowed by the interconnect level feature 101 p. Similarly, the linear gate level features 116Cp and 116Fp are then adjusted such that the line end spacing 140 p therebetween is substantially vertically centered within area shadowed by the interconnect level feature 101 p. Therefore, the line end spacing 142 p is substantially vertically aligned with the line end spacing 140 p. This vertical alignment of the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p allows for use of a cut mask to define the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p. In other words, linear gate level features 116Bp and 116Ep are initially defined as a single continuous linear gate level feature, and linear gate level features 116Cp and 116Fp are initially defined as a single continuous linear gate level feature. Then, a cut mask is used to remove a portion of each of the single continuous linear gate level features so as to form the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p. It should be understood that although the example layout of FIG. 29 lends itself to fabrication through use of a cut mask, the layout of FIG. 29 may also be fabricated without using a cut mask. Additionally, it should be understood that each embodiment disclosed herein as being suitable for fabrication through use of a cut mask may also be fabricated without using a cut mask.

In one embodiment, the gate contacts 118 p and 120 p are adjusted vertically so as to be edge-aligned with the interconnect level feature 101 p. However, such edge alignment between gate contact and interconnect level feature is not required in all embodiments. For example, so long as the gate contacts 118 p and 120 p are placed to enable substantial vertical alignment of the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p, the gate contacts 118 p and 120 p may not be edge-aligned with the interconnect level feature 101 p, although they could be if so desired. The above-discussed flexibility with regard to gate contact placement in the direction of extent of the linear gate electrode features is further exemplified in the embodiments of FIGS. 30 and 54-60.

FIG. 30 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 29, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 26, with the rectangular-shaped interconnect level feature 101 p replaced by an S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As with the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 26, the S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p can be defined as a first interconnect level feature, i.e., as a Metal-1 level feature. However, in other embodiments, the S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p may be defined within an interconnect level other than the Metal-1 level.

FIG. 32 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 31, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p is flipped horizontally relative to the embodiment of FIG. 31 to enable connection of the inner contacts 120 p and 118 p.

FIG. 33 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 31, with a linear gate level feature 146 p used to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, while the embodiment of FIG. 31 uses vias 132 p and 136 p, and the higher level interconnect feature 134 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, the embodiment of FIG. 33 uses gate contacts 148 p and 150 p, and the linear gate level feature 146 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p. In the embodiment of FIG. 33, the linear gate level feature 146 p serves as a conductor, and is not used to define a gate electrode of a transistor. It should be understood that the linear gate level feature 146 p, used to connect the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, can be placed essentially anywhere in the layout, i.e., can be horizontally shifted in either direction away from the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary to satisfy particular layout requirements.

FIG. 34 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 33, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 33 defined in connection with a multiplexer (MUX), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 33 which utilizes a non-transistor linear gate level feature 146 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, the embodiment of FIG. 35 utilizes a select inverter of the MUX to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, wherein the select inverter of the MUX is defined by transistors 152 p and 154 p. More specifically, transistor 102 p of the cross-coupled transistors is driven through transistor 152 p of the select inverter. Similarly, transistor 104 p of the cross-coupled transistors is driven through transistor 154 p of the select inverter. It should be understood that the linear gate level feature 116Gp, used to define the transistors 152 p and 154 p of the select inverter and used to connect the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, can be placed essentially anywhere in the layout, i.e., can be horizontally shifted in either direction away from the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary to satisfy particular layout requirements.

FIG. 36 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 35, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an illustration showing a latch-type cross-coupled transistor layout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The latch-type cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 37 is similar to that of FIG. 33, with the exception that the gate widths of transistors 102 p and 108 p are reduced relative to the gate widths of transistors 106 p and 104 p. Because transistors 102 p and 108 p perform a signal keeping function as opposed to a signal driving function, the gate widths of transistors 102 p and 108 p can be reduced. As with the embodiment of FIG. 33, the outer gate contact 126 p is connected to the outer gate contact 128 p by way of the interconnect level feature 130 p, the gate contact 148 p, the linear gate level feature 146 p, the gate contact 150 p, and the interconnect level feature 138 p.

Also, because of the reduced size of the diffusion regions 110 p and 112 p for the keeping transistors 102 p and 108 p, the inner gate contacts 120 p and 118 p can be vertically aligned. Vertical alignment of the inner gate contacts 120 p and 118 p may facilitate contact fabrication, e.g., contact lithographic resolution. Also, vertical alignment of the inner gate contacts 120 p and 118 p allows for use of simple linear-shaped interconnect level feature 156 p to connect the inner gate contacts 120 p and 118 p. Also, vertical alignment of the inner gate contacts 120 p and 118 p allows for increased vertical separation of the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p, which may facilitate creation of the line end spacings 142 p and 140 p when formed using separate cut shapes in a cut mask.

FIG. 38 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 37, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 120 p, 118 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 37, with the interconnect level feature 134 p used to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, while the embodiment of FIG. 37 uses gate contacts 148 p and 150 p, and the linear gate level feature 146 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, the embodiment of FIG. 39 uses vias 132 p and 136 p, and the interconnect level feature 134 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p. In one embodiment of FIG. 39, the interconnect level feature 134 p is defined as second interconnect level feature, i.e., Metal-2 level feature. However, in other embodiments, the interconnect level feature 134 p can be defined within an interconnect level other than the second interconnect level. It should be understood that the interconnect level feature 134 p, used to connect the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, can be placed essentially anywhere in the layout, i.e., can be horizontally shifted in either direction away from the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary to satisfy layout requirements.

FIG. 40 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 39, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 120 p, 118 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is an illustration showing the latch-type cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 37, defined in connection with a MUX/latch, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 37 which utilizes a non-transistor linear gate level feature 146 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, the embodiment of FIG. 41 utilizes a select/clock inverter of the MUX/latch to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, wherein the select/clock inverter of the MUX/latch is defined by transistors 160 p and 162 p. More specifically, transistor 102 p of the cross-coupled transistors is driven through transistor 160 p of the select/clock inverter. Similarly, transistor 104 p of the cross-coupled transistors is driven through transistor 162 p of the select/clock inverter. It should be understood that the linear gate level feature 164 p, used to define the transistors 160 p and 162 p of the select/clock inverter and used to connect the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, can be placed essentially anywhere in the layout, i.e., can be horizontally shifted in either direction away from the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary to satisfy particular layout requirements.

FIG. 42 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 41, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is an illustration showing the latch-type cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 37, defined to have the outer gate contacts 126 p and 128 p connected using a single interconnect level, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 37 which utilizes a non-transistor linear gate level feature 146 p to make the vertical portion of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p, the embodiment of FIG. 43 uses a single interconnect level to make the horizontal and vertical portions of the connection between the outer contacts 126 p and 128 p. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 166 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 168 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 170 p, and through gate contact 128 p. In one embodiment, the interconnect level features 166 p, 168 p, and 170 p are first interconnect level features (Metal-1 features). However, in other embodiments, the interconnect level features 166 p, 168 p, and 170 p can be defined collectively within any other interconnect level.

FIG. 44 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 43, with the horizontal positions of the inner gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and outer gate contacts 126 p, 128 p respectively reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is an illustration showing a cross-coupled transistor layout in which all four gate contacts 126 p, 128 p, 118 p, and 120 p of the cross-coupled coupled transistors are placed therebetween, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the gate contacts 126 p, 128 p, 118 p, and 120 p of the cross-coupled coupled transistors are placed vertically between the diffusion regions 110 p and 112 p that define the cross-coupled coupled transistors. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 172 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 174 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 176 p, and through gate contact 128 p. In one embodiment, the interconnect level features 172 p, 174 p, and 176 p are first interconnect level features (Metal-1 features). However, in other embodiments, the interconnect level features 172 p, 174 p, and 176 p can be defined collectively within any other interconnect level. The gate electrode of transistor 108 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 106 p through gate contact 120 p, through S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p, and through gate contact 118 p. The S-shaped interconnect level feature 144 p can be defined within any interconnect level. In one embodiment, the S-shaped interconnect level feature is defined within the first interconnect level (Metal-1 level).

FIG. 46 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 45, with multiple interconnect levels used to connect the gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 172 p, through via 180 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 178 p, through via 182 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 176 p, and through gate contact 128 p. In one embodiment, the horizontal interconnect level features 172 p and 176 p are defined within the same interconnect level, e.g., Metal-1 level, and the vertical interconnect level feature 178 p is defined within a higher interconnect level, e.g., Metal-2 level. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments each of interconnect level features 172 p, 178 p, and 176 p can be defined in separate interconnect levels.

FIG. 47 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 45, with increased vertical separation between line end spacings 184 p and 186 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The increased vertical separation between line end spacings 184 p and 186 p can facilitate creation of the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p when formed using separate cut shapes in a cut mask.

FIG. 48 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 45, using an L-shaped interconnect level feature 188 p to connect the gate contacts 120 p and 118 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 48, with the horizontal position of gate contacts 126 p and 118 p reversed, and with the horizontal position of gate contacts 120 p and 128 p reversed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 48, with increased vertical separation between line end spacings 184 p and 186 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The increased vertical separation between line end spacings 184 p and 186 p can facilitate creation of the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p when formed using separate cut shapes in a cut mask.

FIG. 51 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 45, in which gate contacts 120 p and 118 p are vertically aligned, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A linear-shaped interconnect level feature 190 p is used to connect the vertically aligned gate contacts 120 p and 118 p. Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 51, an increased vertical separation between line end spacings 184 p and 186 p is provided to facilitate creation of the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p when formed using separate cut shapes in a cut mask, although use of a cut mask to fabricate the layout of FIG. 51 is not specifically required.

FIG. 52 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 45, in which a linear-shaped interconnect level feature 192 p is used to connect the non-vertically-aligned gate contacts 120 p and 118 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the linear-shaped interconnect level feature 192 p is stretched vertically to cover both of the gate contacts 120 p and 118 p.

FIG. 53 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 52, with multiple interconnect levels used to connect the gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 172 p, through via 180 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 178 p, through via 182 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 176 p, and through gate contact 128 p. In one embodiment, the horizontal interconnect level features 172 p and 176 p are defined within the same interconnect level, e.g., Metal-1 level, and the vertical interconnect level feature 178 p is defined within a higher interconnect level, e.g., Metal-2 level. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments each of interconnect level features 172 p, 178 p, and 176 p can be defined in separate interconnect levels.

FIG. 54 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 53, with the vertical positions of gate contacts 118 p and 120 p adjusted to enable alignment of the line end spacings between co-linearly aligned gate level features, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, gate contact 118 p is adjusted vertically upward, and gate contact 120 p is adjusted vertically downward. The linear gate level features 116Bp and 116Ep are then adjusted such that the line end spacing 184 p therebetween is substantially vertically centered within area shadowed by the interconnect level feature 192 p. Similarly, the linear gate level features 116Cp and 116Fp are then adjusted such that the line end spacing 186 p therebetween is substantially vertically centered within area shadowed by the interconnect level feature 192 p. Therefore, the line end spacing 184 p is substantially vertically aligned with the line end spacing 186 p. This vertical alignment of the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p allows for use of a cut mask to define the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p. In other words, linear gate level features 116Bp and 116Ep are initially defined as a single continuous linear gate level feature, and linear gate level features 116Cp and 116Fp are initially defined as a single continuous linear gate level feature. Then, a cut mask is used to remove a portion of each of the single continuous linear gate level features so as to form the line end spacings 184 p and 186 p. As previously discussed with regard to FIG. 29, although edge-alignment between the gate contacts 118 p, 120 p and the interconnect level feature 192 p can be utilized in one embodiment, it should be understood that such edge-alignment between gate contact and interconnect level feature is not required in all embodiments.

FIG. 55 is an illustration showing a cross-coupled transistor layout in which the four gate contacts 126 p, 128 p, 120 p, and 118 p are placed within three consecutive horizontal tracks of an interconnect level, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 402 p, through gate contact 418 p, through vertical gate level feature 404 p, through gate contact 416 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 424 p, and through gate contact 128 p. The vertical gate level feature 404 p represents a common node to which the gate electrodes of transistors 426 p and 428 p are connected. It should be understood that the vertical gate level feature 404 p can be shifted left or right relative to the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary for layout purposes. Also, the gate electrode of transistor 106 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 108 p through gate contact 118 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 190 p, and through gate contact 120 p.

It should be appreciated that placement of gate contacts 126 p, 128 p, 120 p, and 118 p within three consecutive horizontal interconnect level tracks allows for an interconnect level track 414 p to pass through the cross-coupled transistor layout. Also, it should be understood that the interconnect level features 402 p, 424 p, and 190 p can be defined in the same interconnect level or in different interconnect levels. In one embodiment, each of the interconnect level features 402 p, 424 p, and 190 p is defined in a first interconnect level (Metal-1 level).

FIG. 56 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 55, in which a non-transistor gate level feature 430 p is used to make the vertical portion of the connection between gate contacts 126 p and 126 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnected level feature 402 p, through gate contact 418 p, through vertical non-transistor gate level feature 430 p, through gate contact 416 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 424 p, and through gate contact 128 p.

FIG. 57 is an illustration showing a cross-coupled transistor layout in which the four gate contacts 126 p, 128 p, 120 p, and 118 p are placed within three consecutive horizontal tracks of an interconnect level, and in which multiple interconnect levels are used to connect the gate contacts 126 p and 128 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 432 p, through via 434 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 436 p, through via 438 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 440 p, and through gate contact 128 p. The vertical interconnect level feature 436 p is defined within an interconnect level different from the interconnect level in which the horizontal interconnect level features 432 p and 440 p are defined. In one embodiment, the horizontal interconnect level features 432 p and 440 p are defined within a first interconnect level (Metal-1 level), and the vertical interconnect level feature 436 p is defined within a second interconnect level (Metal-2 level). It should be understood that the vertical interconnect level feature 436 p can be shifted left or right relative to the cross-coupled transistors 102 p, 104 p, 106 p, 108 p, as necessary for layout purposes. Also, the gate electrode of transistor 106 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 108 p through gate contact 118 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 190 p, and through gate contact 120 p.

FIG. 58 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 57, in which the gate contacts 126Ap, 118Ap, 120Ap, and 128Ap are extended in the vertical direction to provided additional overlap with their respective underlying gate level feature, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The additional overlap of the gate level features by the gate contacts 126Ap, 118Ap, 120Ap, and 128Ap may be provided to satisfy design rules.

FIG. 59 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 57, in which the gate contacts 126 p, 118 p, 120 p, and 128 p are placed within four consecutive interconnect level tracks with an intervening vacant interconnect level track 704 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The gate electrode of transistor 102 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 104 p through gate contact 126 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 432 p, through via 434 p, through vertical interconnect level feature 436 p, through via 438 p, through horizontal interconnect level feature 440 p, and through gate contact 128 p. The gate electrode of transistor 106 p is connected to the gate electrode of transistor 108 p through gate contact 118 p, through L-shaped interconnect level feature 450 p, and through gate contact 120 p. As shown at locations 706 p and 708 p, the L-shaped interconnect level feature 450 p can be extended beyond the gate contacts 120 p and 118 p to provide sufficient overlap of the gate contacts by the L-shaped interconnect level feature 450 p, as needed to satisfy design rules.

FIG. 60 is an illustration showing the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 59, with a variation in the overlap of the gate contact 120 p by the L-shaped interconnect level feature 450 p, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The overlap region 709 p is turned horizontally so as to align with the horizontal interconnect level feature 440 p.

FIGS. 61-94 are illustrations showing variants of the cross-coupled transistor layouts of FIGS. 26 and 28-60, respectively. As previously mentioned, essentially any cross-coupled transistor layout defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be represented in an alternate manner by horizontally and/or vertically reversing placement of the gate contacts that are used to connect one or both pairs of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration. Also, essentially any cross-coupled transistor layout defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be represented in an alternate manner by maintaining gate contact placements and by modifying each routing path used to connect one or both pairs of the four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor configuration.

FIGS. 95-99 show exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts defined in accordance with the linear gate level, in which a folded transistor layout technique is implemented. A folded transistor is defined as a plurality of transistors whose gate electrodes share an identical electrical connectivity configuration. In other words, each individual transistor of a given folded transistor has its gate electrode connected to a common node and is defined to electrically interface with a common diffusion region. It should be understood that although each individual transistor of a given folded transistor has its gate electrode connected to a common diffusion region, it is not required that the common diffusion region be continuous, i.e., monolithic. For example, diffusion regions that are of the same type but are physically separated from each other, and have an electrical connection to a common output node, and share a common source/drain, satisfy the common diffusion region characteristic of the folded transistor.

In the example layout of FIG. 95, a first pair of the cross-coupled transistors is defined by a folded transistor 6901Ap/6901Bp and by a transistor 6903 p. Each of the individual transistors 6901Ap and 6901Bp that form the folded transistor is connected to a common diffusion region 6905 p and has its gate electrode connected to a common node 6907 p through respective gate contacts 6909Ap and 6909Bp. The gate contacts 6909Ap and 6909Bp are connected to a gate contact 6921 p of transistor 6903 p by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 6911 p, a contact 6913 p, a gate level feature 6915 p, a contact 6917 p, and a metal 1 interconnect level feature 6919 p. A second pair of the cross-coupled transistors is defined by a folded transistor 6923Ap/6923Bp and by a transistor 6925 p. Each of the individual transistors 6923Ap and 6923Bp that form the folded transistor is connected to a common diffusion region 6927 p and has its gate electrode connected to a common node 6929 p through respective gate contacts 6931Ap and 6931Bp. The gate contacts 6931Ap and 6931Bp are connected to a gate contact 6933 p of transistor 6925 p by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 6935 p. Transistors 6901Ap, 6901Bp, and 6925 p are electrically interfaced with the diffusion region 6905 p. Also, transistors 6923Ap, 6923Bp, and 6903 p are electrically interfaced with the diffusion region 6927 p. Additionally, although not explicitly shown, diffusion regions 6905 p and 6927 p are connected to a common output node.

FIG. 96 shows a variant of the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 95, in which the connection between the folded transistor 6901Ap/6901Bp and the transistor 6903 p is made using an alternate conductive path through the chip. Specifically, the gate contacts 6909Ap and 6909Bp are connected to the gate contact 6921 p of transistor 6903 p by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7001 p, a via 7003 p, a metal 2 interconnect level feature 7005 p, a via 7007 p, and a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7009 p.

In the example layout of FIG. 97, a first pair of the cross-coupled transistors is defined by a folded transistor 7101Ap/7101Bp and by a folded transistor 7103Ap/7103Bp. Gate contacts 7105Ap and 7105Bp are connected to gate contacts 7107Ap and 7107Bp by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7109 p, a via 7111 p, a metal 2 interconnect level feature 7113 p, a via 7115 p, and a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7117 p. A second pair of the cross-coupled transistors is defined by a folded transistor 7119Ap/7119Bp and by a folded transistor 7121Ap/7121Bp. Gate contacts 7123Ap and 7123Bp are connected to gate contacts 7125Ap and 7125Bp by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7127 p, a via 7129 p, a metal 2 interconnect level feature 7131 p, a via 7133 p, a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7135 p, a via 7137 p, a metal 2 interconnect level feature 7139 p, a via 7141 p, and a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7143 p. Transistors 7101Ap, 7101Bp, 7121Ap, and 7121Bp are electrically interfaced with diffusion region 7145 p. Also, transistors 7119Ap, 7119Bp, 7103Ap, and 7103Bp are electrically interfaced with diffusion region 7147 p. Additionally, although not explicitly shown, portions of diffusion regions 7145 p and 7147 p which are electrically interfaced with the transistors 7101Ap, 7101Bp, 7103Ap, 7103Bp, 7119Ap, 7119Bp, 7121Ap, and 7121Bp are connected to a common output node.

FIG. 98 shows a variant of the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 97, in which the electrical connections between the cross-coupled transistors are made using an alternate conductive paths through the chip. Specifically, the gate contacts 7105Ap and 7105Bp are connected to the gate contacts 7107Ap and 7107Bp by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7201 p, a contact 7203 p, a gate level feature 7205 p, a contact 720′7 p, and a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7209 p. Also, the gate contacts 7123Ap and 7123Bp are connected to the gate contacts 7125Ap and 7125Bp by way of a metal 1 interconnect level feature 7211 p. In this embodiment, the metal 1 interconnect level in unrestricted with regard to bends in conductive features. Therefore, the metal 1 interconnect level feature 7211 p can be defined to “snake” through the metal 1 interconnect level to make the required cross-coupled transistor connections, as permitted by surrounding layout features.

FIG. 99 shows a variant of the cross-coupled transistor layout of FIG. 97, in which the connection between the folded transistor 7101Ap/7101Bp and the folded transistor 7103Ap/7103Bp is made using an alternate conductive path through the chip. Specifically, the gate contacts 7105Ap and 7105Bp are connected to the gate contacts 7107Ap and 7107Bp by way of the metal 1 interconnect level feature 7201 p, the contact 7203 p, the gate level feature 7205 p, the contact 7207 p, and the metal 1 interconnect level feature 7209 p. It should be understood that the cross-coupled transistor layouts utilizing folded transistors as shown in FIGS. 95-99 are provided by way of example, and should not be construed as fully inclusive.

In each FIGS. 26-99, the cross-coupled transistor connections have been described by tracing through the various conductive features of each conductive path used to connect each pair of transistors in the cross-coupled layout. It should be appreciated that the conductive path used to connect each pair of transistors in a given cross-coupled layout can traverse through conductive features any number of levels of the chip, utilizing any number of contacts and vias as necessary. For ease of description with regard to FIGS. 100 through 192, the conductive paths used to connect the various NMOS/PMOS transistor pairs in each cross-coupled transistor layout are identified by heavy black lines drawn over the corresponding layout features.

As previously mentioned, FIGS. 26-99 do not explicitly show connection of the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to a common node, although this connection is present. FIGS. 100-111 show exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts in which the n-type and p-type diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors are shown to be electrically connected to a common node. The conductive path used to connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node in each of FIGS. 100-111 is identified by a heavy black dashed line drawn over the corresponding layout features. For ease of description, FIGS. 112-148 do not show the heavy black dashed line corresponding to the conductive path used to connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node. However, some of FIGS. 112-148 do show the layout features associated with the conductive path, or a portion thereof, used to connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common node. Again, although not explicitly shown in each of FIGS. 26-148, it should be understood that each of the exemplary cross-coupled transistor layout includes a conductive path that connects the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to a common output node.

FIGS. 112-148 show a number of exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts in which the p-type diffusion regions that are electrically interfaced with the cross-coupled transistors are physically separated from each other. For example, with regard to FIG. 112, the p-type diffusion region 8601 p is physically separated from the p-type diffusion region 8603 p. However, the p-type diffusion regions 8601 p and 8603 p are electrically connected to each other by way of contact 8605 p, metal 1 interconnect level feature 8607 p, and contact 8609 p. Although not shown, the diffusion regions 8601 p and 8603 p are also electrically connected to diffusion region 8611 p. It should be understood that a variant of each cross-coupled transistor layout as shown in each of FIGS. 112-148, can be defined by changing the p-type diffusion regions as shown to n-type diffusion regions, and by also changing the n-type diffusion regions as shown to p-type diffusions regions. Therefore, such variants of FIGS. 112-148 illustrate a number of exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts in which the n-type diffusion regions that are electrically interfaced with the cross-coupled transistors are physically separated from each other.

FIGS. 149-175 show a number of exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts defined using two gate contacts to connect one pair of complementary (i.e., NMOS/PMOS) transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout to each other, and using no gate contact to connect the other pair of complementary transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout to each other. It should be understood that two gate electrodes of each pair of cross-coupled transistors, when considered as a single node, are electrically connected through at least one gate contact to circuitry external to the cross-coupled transistor portion of the layout. Therefore, it should be understood that the gate electrodes mentioned above, or absence thereof, with regard to connecting each pair of complementary transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout, refer to gate electrodes defined within the cross-coupled transistor portion of the layout.

For example, FIG. 149 shows a cross-coupled transistor layout in which a gate electrode of transistor 12301 p is electrically connected to a gate electrode of transistor 12303 p by way of two gate contacts 12309 p and 12311 p in combination with other conductive features. Also, the gate electrodes of transistors 12305 p and 12307 p are defined as a single, continuous linear conductive feature within the gate level. Therefore, a gate contact is not required to electrically connect the gate electrodes of transistors 12305 p and 12307 p. The conductive path used to connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common output node in each of FIGS. 149-175 is identified by a heavy black dashed line drawn over the corresponding layout features.

It should be appreciated that the cross-coupled transistor layout defined using two gate contacts to connect one pair of complementary transistors and no gate contact to connect the other pair of complementary transistors can be implemented in as few as two gate electrode tracks, wherein a gate electrode track is defined as a virtual line extending across the gate level in a parallel relationship to its neighboring gate electrode tracks. These two gate electrode tracks can be located essentially anywhere in the layout with regard to each other. In other words, these two gate electrode tracks are not required to be located adjacent to each other, although such an arrangement is permitted, and in some embodiments may be desirable. The cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments of FIGS. 149-175 can be characterized in that two gate electrodes of one pair of connected complementary transistors in the cross-coupled layout are defined from a single, continuous linear conductive feature defined in the gate level.

FIGS. 176-191 show a number of exemplary cross-coupled transistor layouts defined using no gate contacts to connect each pair of complementary transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout. Again, it should be understood that two gate electrodes of each pair of cross-coupled transistors, when considered as a single node, are electrically connected through at least one gate contact to circuitry external to the cross-coupled transistor portion of the layout. Therefore, it should be understood that the absence of gate electrodes with regard to connecting each pair of complementary transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout refers to an absence of gate electrodes defined within the cross-coupled transistor portion of the layout.

For example, FIG. 176 shows a cross-coupled transistor layout in which gate electrodes of transistors 15001 p and 15003 p are defined as a single, continuous linear conductive feature within the gate level. Therefore, a gate contact is not required to electrically connect the gate electrodes of transistors 15001 p and 15003 p. Also, gate electrodes of transistors 15005 p and 15007 p are defined as a single, continuous linear conductive feature within the gate level. Therefore, a gate contact is not required to electrically connect the gate electrodes of transistors 15005 p and 15007 p. The conductive path used to connect the diffusion regions of the cross-coupled transistors to the common output node in each of FIGS. 176-191 is identified by a heavy black dashed line drawn over the corresponding layout features. It should be appreciated that the cross-coupled transistor layout defined using no gate contact to connect each pair of complementary transistors can be implemented in as few as one gate electrode track. The cross-coupled transistor layout embodiments of FIGS. 176-191 can be characterized in that each pair of connected complementary transistors in the cross-coupled layout has its gate electrodes defined from a single, continuous linear conductive feature defined in the gate level.

FIG. 192 shows another exemplary cross-couple transistor layout in which the common diffusion node shared between the cross-coupled transistors 16601 p, 16603 p, 16605 p, and 16607 p has one or more transistors defined thereover. Specifically, FIG. 192 shows that transistors 16609Ap and 16609Bp are defined over the diffusion region 16613 p between transistors 16605 p and 16603 p. Also, FIG. 192 shows that transistors 16611Ap and 16611Bp are defined over the diffusion region 16615 p between transistors 16601 p and 16607 p. It should be understood that diffusion regions 16613 p and 16615 p define the common diffusion node to which each of the cross-coupled transistors 16601 p, 16603 p, 16605 p, and 16607 p is electrically interfaced. It should be appreciated that with this type of cross-coupled transistor layout, driver transistors, such as transistors 16609Ap, 16609Bp, 16611Ap, and 16611Bp, can be disposed over the common diffusion node of the cross-coupled transistors. Hence, the cross-coupled transistors can be considered as being placed “outside” of the driver transistors.

As illustrated in FIGS. 26-192, the cross-coupled transistor layout using a linear gate level can be defined in a number of different ways. A number of observations associated with the cross-coupled transistor layout defined using the linear gate level are as follows:

-   -   In one embodiment, an interconnect level parallel to the gate         level is used to connect the two “outside” transistors, i.e., to         connect the two outer gate contacts.     -   In one embodiment, the end gaps, i.e., line end spacings,         between co-aligned gate electrode features in the area between         the n and p diffusion regions can be substantially vertically         aligned to enable line end cutting.     -   In one embodiment, the end gaps, i.e., line end spacings,         between gate electrode features in the area between the n and p         diffusion regions can be separated as much as possible to allow         for separation of cut shapes, or to prevent alignment of gate         electrode feature line ends.     -   In one embodiment, the interconnect levels can be configured so         that contacts can be placed on a grid to enhance contact         printing.     -   In one embodiment, the contacts can be placed so that a minimal         number of first interconnect level (Metal-1 level) tracks are         occupied by the cross-couple connection.     -   In one embodiment, the contacts can be placed to maximize the         available diffusion area for device size, e.g., transistor         width.     -   In one embodiment, the contacts can be shifted toward the edges         of the interconnect level features to which they connect to         allow for better alignment of gate electrode feature line ends.     -   In pertinent embodiments, it should be noted that the vertical         connection between the outside transistors of the cross-coupled         transistor layout can be shifted left or right depending on the         specific layout requirements.     -   There is no distance requirement between the n and p diffusion         regions. If there are more interconnect level tracks available         between the n and p diffusion region, the available interconnect         level tracks can be allocated as necessary/appropriate for the         layout.     -   The four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor         configuration, as defined in accordance with the linear gate         level, can be separated from each other within the layout by         arbitrary distances in various embodiments.     -   In one embodiment, the linear gate electrode features are placed         according to a virtual grid or virtual grate. However, it should         be understood that in other embodiments the linear gate         electrode features, although oriented to have a common direction         of extent, are placed without regard to a virtual grid or         virtual grate.     -   Each linear gate electrode feature is allowed to have one or         more contact head portion(s) along its line of extent, so long         as the linear gate electrode feature does not connect directly         within the gate level to another linear gate electrode feature         having a different, yet parallel, line of extent.     -   Diffusion regions associated with the cross-coupled transistor         configuration, as defined in accordance with the linear gate         level, are not restricted in size or shape.     -   The four transistors of the cross-coupled transistor         configuration, as defined in accordance with the linear gate         level, may vary in size as required to satisfy electrical         requirements.     -   Essentially any cross-coupled transistor configuration layout         defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be         represented in an alternate manner by horizontally and/or         vertically reversing placement of the gate contacts that are         used to connect one or both pairs of the four transistors of the         cross-coupled transistor configuration.     -   Essentially any cross-coupled transistor configuration layout         defined in accordance with a linear gate level can be         represented in an alternate manner by maintaining gate contact         placements and by modifying each routing path used to connect         one or both pairs of the four transistors of the cross-coupled         transistor configuration.     -   A cross-coupled transistor configuration layout defined in         accordance with a linear gate level can be optimized for a         fabrication process that utilizes a cut mask.     -   In various embodiments, connections between gates of         cross-coupled transistors can be made in essentially any manner         by utilizing any level within the chip, any number of levels in         the chip, any number of contacts, and/or any number of vias.

It should be appreciated that in the embodiments of FIGS. 26-192, a number of features and connections are not shown in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the cross-couple transistors in the various layouts. For example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 26-60, connections to source and drains are not shown. Also, it should be understood that in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 26-192, some features and connections that are not directly associated with the four cross-coupled transistors are displayed for exemplary purposes and are not intended to represent any restriction on the correspondingly displayed cross-coupled transistor layout.

Based on the foregoing, a cross-coupled transistor layout using commonly oriented linear gate level features and transistors having physically separate gate electrodes can be defined according to either of the following embodiments, among others:

-   -   all four gate contacts used to connect each pair of         complementary transistors in the cross-coupled transistor layout         are placed between the diffusion regions associated with the         cross-coupled transistor layout,     -   two gate contacts used to connect one pair of complementary         transistors placed between the diffusion regions associated with         the cross-coupled transistor layout, and two gate contacts used         to connect another pair of complementary transistors placed         outside the diffusion regions with one of these two gate         contacts placed outside of each diffusion region,     -   all four gate contacts used to connect each pair of         complementary transistors placed outside the diffusion regions         associated with the cross-coupled transistor layout,     -   three gate contacts placed outside the diffusion regions         associated with the cross-coupled transistor layout, and one         gate contact placed between the diffusion regions associated         with the cross-coupled transistor layout, and     -   three gate contacts placed between the diffusion regions         associated with the cross-coupled transistor layout, and one         gate contact placed outside one of the diffusion regions         associated with the cross-coupled transistor layout.

It should be understood that the cross-coupled transistor layouts implemented within the restricted gate level layout architecture as disclosed herein can be stored in a tangible form, such as in a digital format on a computer readable medium. Also, the invention described herein can be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include hard drives, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetic tapes, and other optical and non-optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over a network of coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Any of the operations described herein that form part of the invention are useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device or an apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purpose, such as a special purpose computer. When defined as a special purpose computer, the computer can also perform other processing, program execution or routines that are not part of the special purpose, while still being capable of operating for the special purpose. Alternatively, the operations may be processed by a general purpose computer selectively activated or configured by one or more computer programs stored in the computer memory, cache, or obtained over a network. When data is obtained over a network the data maybe processed by other computers on the network, e.g., a cloud of computing resources.

The embodiments of the present invention can also be defined as a machine that transforms data from one state to another state. The data may represent an article, that can be represented as an electronic signal and electronically manipulate data. The transformed data can, in some cases, be visually depicted on a display, representing the physical object that results from the transformation of data. The transformed data can be saved to storage generally, or in particular formats that enable the construction or depiction of a physical and tangible object. In some embodiments, the manipulation can be performed by a processor. In such an example, the processor thus transforms the data from one thing to another. Still further, the methods can be processed by one or more machines or processors that can be connected over a network. Each machine can transform data from one state or thing to another, and can also process data, save data to storage, transmit data over a network, display the result, or communicate the result to another machine.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art upon reading the preceding specifications and studying the drawings will realize various alterations, additions, permutations and equivalents thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention includes all such alterations, additions, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit, comprising: a gate electrode level region having at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels, each gate electrode feature layout channel extending lengthwise in a first direction and widthwise in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each of the at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels includes at least one gate level feature, each gate level feature having a first end located adjacent to a first line end spacing and a second end located adjacent to a second line end spacing, wherein each gate level feature forms an electrically conductive path extending between its first and second ends, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a first gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a first transistor of a first transistor type and a gate electrode of a first transistor of a second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a second gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the first transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the second gate level feature is of the first transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a third gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a second transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fourth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the second transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the fourth gate level feature is of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fifth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the second transistor of the first transistor type and the third transistor of the second transistor type are located on opposite sides of the third gate level feature in the second direction, and wherein the first end of the second gate level feature is offset from the first end of the fourth gate level feature in the first direction.
 2. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the first transistor of the first transistor type is located next to and spaced apart from the second transistor of the first transistor type, wherein the gate electrodes of the first and second transistors of the first transistor type are separated by a gate pitch as measured in the second direction between their respective lengthwise centerlines, and wherein the third transistor of the second transistor type is located next to and spaced apart from the second transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrodes of the second and third transistors of the second transistor type are separated by the gate pitch as measured in the second direction between their respective lengthwise centerlines.
 3. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 2, further comprising: an interconnect level region formed above the gate electrode level region, wherein the second gate level feature is electrically connected to the fourth gate level feature through an electrical connection that extends through the interconnect level region.
 4. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 3, wherein each gate level feature within the gate electrode level region is linear-shaped.
 5. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 4, wherein all gate level features within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to the gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of two adjacently placed gate level features within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to the gate pitch.
 6. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 5, wherein the second and third transistors of the first transistor type share a first diffusion region of a first diffusion type, wherein the second and third transistors of the second transistor type share a first diffusion region of a second diffusion type, and wherein the first diffusion region of the first diffusion type is electrically connected to the first diffusion region of the second diffusion type.
 7. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 6, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a sixth gate level feature that does not form a gate electrode of a transistor, wherein the sixth gate level feature has a size as measured in the second direction that is substantially equal to a size as measured in the second direction of another gate level feature positioned next to and spaced apart from the sixth gate level feature.
 8. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 6, wherein either a) a length of the second gate level feature as measured in the first direction is substantially equal to a length of the third gate level feature as measured in the first direction, or b) a length of the fourth gate level feature as measured in the first direction is substantially equal to the length of the third gate level feature as measured in the first direction.
 9. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 8, wherein the gate electrode of the second transistor of the first transistor type is the only gate electrode formed by the second gate level feature, and wherein the gate electrode of the third transistor of the second transistor type is the only gate electrode formed by the fourth gate level feature.
 10. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a first gate contact defined to physically contact the second gate level feature, wherein the first gate contact is positioned a first contact-to-gate distance as measured in the first direction away from the gate electrode of the second transistor of the first transistor type; and a second gate contact defined to physically contact the fourth gate level feature, wherein the second gate contact is positioned a second contact-to-gate distance as measured in the first direction away from the gate electrode of the third transistor of the second transistor type, wherein first and second contact-to-gate distances are different.
 11. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 10, wherein the first transistor of the first transistor type is located next to and spaced apart from the second transistor of the first transistor type, wherein the gate electrodes of the first and second transistors of the first transistor type are separated by a gate pitch as measured in the second direction between their respective lengthwise centerlines, and wherein the third transistor of the second transistor type is located next to and spaced apart from the second transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrodes of the second and third transistors of the second transistor type are separated by the gate pitch as measured in the second direction between their respective lengthwise centerlines.
 12. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 11, wherein each gate level feature within the gate electrode level region is linear-shaped.
 13. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 12, wherein all gate level features within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to the gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of two adjacently placed gate level features within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to the gate pitch.
 14. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 13, further comprising: an interconnect level region formed above the gate electrode level region, wherein the second gate level feature is electrically connected to the fourth gate level feature through an electrical connection that extends through the interconnect level region.
 15. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 12, further comprising: an interconnect level region formed above the gate electrode level region, wherein the second gate level feature is electrically connected to the fourth gate level feature through an electrical connection that extends through the interconnect level region.
 16. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 15, wherein the second and third transistors of the first transistor type share a first diffusion region of a first diffusion type, wherein the second and third transistors of the second transistor type share a first diffusion region of a second diffusion type, and wherein the first diffusion region of the first diffusion type is electrically connected to the first diffusion region of the second diffusion type.
 17. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein each gate level feature within the gate electrode level region is linear-shaped.
 18. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 17, wherein the gate electrodes of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the first transistor type are positioned according to a gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of any two of the gate electrodes of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the first transistor type is substantially equal to an integer multiple of the gate pitch, and wherein the gate electrodes of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the second transistor type are positioned according to the gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of any two of the gate electrodes of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the second transistor type is substantially equal to an integer multiple of the gate pitch.
 19. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 18, wherein all gate level features within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to the gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of two adjacently placed gate level features within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to the gate pitch.
 20. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 19, further comprising: a first gate contact defined to physically contact the second gate level feature, wherein the second gate level feature has an extension distance extending away from the first gate contact in the first direction away from the gate electrode of the second transistor of the first transistor type; and a second gate contact defined to physically contact the fourth gate level feature, wherein the fourth gate level feature has an extension distance extending away from the second gate contact in the first direction away from the gate electrode of the third transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the extension distances of the second and fourth gate level features are different.
 21. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 17, further comprising: an interconnect level region formed above the gate electrode level region, wherein the second gate level feature is electrically connected to the fourth gate level feature through an electrical connection that extends through the interconnect level region.
 22. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 21, wherein all gate level features within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to a gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of two adjacently placed gate level features within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to the gate pitch.
 23. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a first gate contact defined to physically contact the second gate level feature; and a second gate contact defined to physically contact the fourth gate level feature, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the first transistor type are collectively separated from the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the second transistor type by an inner portion of the gate electrode level region, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a first outer portion that extends in the first direction away from the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the first transistor type collectively and away from the inner portion of the gate electrode level region, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a second outer portion that extends in the first direction away from the first, second, third, and fourth transistors of the second transistor type collectively and away from the inner portion of the gate electrode level region, and wherein the first gate contact and the second gate contact are both located over either a) the inner portion of the gate electrode level region, b) the first outer portion of the gate electrode level region, or c) the second outer portion of the gate electrode level region.
 24. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 23, wherein all gate electrodes within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to a gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of any two gate electrodes within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to an integer multiple of the gate pitch.
 25. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 24, wherein each gate level feature within the gate electrode level region is linear-shaped.
 26. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 25, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a sixth gate level feature that does not form a gate electrode of a transistor.
 27. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 26, wherein all gate level features within the gate electrode level region are positioned according to the gate pitch such that a distance measured in the second direction between first-direction-oriented centerlines of two adjacently placed gate level features within the gate electrode level region is substantially equal to the gate pitch.
 28. An integrated circuit as recited in claim 26, wherein the second and third transistors of the first transistor type share a first diffusion region of a first diffusion type, wherein the second and third transistors of the second transistor type share a first diffusion region of a second diffusion type, and wherein the first diffusion region of the first diffusion type is electrically connected to the first diffusion region of the second diffusion type.
 29. A method for creating a layout of an integrated circuit, comprising: operating a computer to define a gate electrode level region having at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels, each gate electrode feature layout channel extending lengthwise in a first direction and widthwise in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each of the at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels includes at least one gate level feature, each gate level feature having a first end located adjacent to a first line end spacing and a second end located adjacent to a second line end spacing, wherein each gate level feature forms an electrically conductive path extending between its first and second ends, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a first gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a first transistor of a first transistor type and a gate electrode of a first transistor of a second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a second gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the first transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the second gate level feature is of the first transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a third gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a second transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fourth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the second transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the fourth gate level feature is of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fifth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the second transistor of the first transistor type and the third transistor of the second transistor type are located on opposite sides of the third gate level feature in the second direction, and wherein the first end of the second gate level feature is offset from the first end of the fourth gate level feature in the first direction.
 30. A computer readable medium having program instructions stored thereon for generating a layout of an integrated circuit, comprising: program instructions for defining a gate electrode level region having at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels, each gate electrode feature layout channel extending lengthwise in a first direction and widthwise in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each of the at least seven adjacently positioned gate electrode feature layout channels includes at least one gate level feature, each gate level feature having a first end located adjacent to a first line end spacing and a second end located adjacent to a second line end spacing, wherein each gate level feature forms an electrically conductive path extending between its first and second ends, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a first gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a first transistor of a first transistor type and a gate electrode of a first transistor of a second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a second gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a second transistor of the first transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the second gate level feature is of the first transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a third gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a second transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fourth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a third transistor of the second transistor type, wherein any transistor having its gate electrode formed by the fourth gate level feature is of the second transistor type, wherein the gate electrode level region includes a fifth gate level feature that forms a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the first transistor type and a gate electrode of a fourth transistor of the second transistor type, wherein the second transistor of the first transistor type and the third transistor of the second transistor type are located on opposite sides of the third gate level feature in the second direction, and wherein the first end of the second gate level feature is offset from the first end of the fourth gate level feature in the first direction. 